El-Rufai claimed that his suggestions for containing the crisis were ignored. The remarks were made in Kaduna during the inauguration of his successor, Senator Uba Sani.  

“In 2017, I proposed that the government classify the burgeoning banditry issue as an insurgency and call in the military. Regrettably, the call went unheeded until 2022 following a Federal High Court ruling.

“It’s a shame that the government did not recognize the seriousness of the situation until banditry had inflicted substantial damage on people’s lives, freedoms, and livelihoods,” El-Rufai stated.

 

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Despite the fact that a coordinated military response began later in 2022, he acknowledged that it has not yet been completed.

El-Rufai added, 

“I thus implore the government to maintain pressure on bandits, insurgents, and terrorists, ensuring that military action is thorough and simultaneous across the seven most affected states – six in the Northwest and Niger.”

El-Rufai, reflecting on his time as governor of Kaduna, stated that his administration worked assiduously to address security concerns head-on.

He added, 

“The steps we took ensured no statewide crisis occurred over the last eight years.”

 

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New Governor Supports State Police.

Sani, the newly inaugurated governor, emphasized the need for a state police force to manage national security issues more effectively. In his inaugural address, Sani stressed the importance of a radical rethinking of the current strategy.

Sani said, 

“Kaduna State has experienced too much bloodshed and destruction. To put an end to this, we will invest heavily in all legally possible solutions, including utilizing technology for security and law enforcement.”

 

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In addition, Sani declared his intention to support the state's police, military, and other security agencies. He also emphasized the significance of engagement with traditional, religious, and community leaders in order to ensure effective intelligence gathering and promote harmony among diverse communities.