Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, Wednesday, assured that bandits and other criminal elements will not be allowed to dictate the education of children in the State.
He said that though Nigerians did not appreciate the peace and security in the country until the current state of insecurity that is rocking the nation, everyone should support the efforts of the military to keep Nigeria safe.
According to the Kaduna Governor who spoke when the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao, paid him a visit, “for a long time, Nigerians have taken peace and security for granted until the current spate of insecurity afflicting the Nation.”
The governor continued that: “we will not pay a penny to any bandit and despite the threats of kidnapping, schools would continue to remain open. The decision to keep schools open was taken so as not to allow criminals to dictate the education of children in the State.”
He called on all Nigerians to appreciate and support the efforts of the military as they continue to make efforts to keep the Nation safe. According to him, “the security situation could have been worse but for the efforts of our Armed Forces. The ability of the military to swiftly respond to kidnapping further gives the State the confidence to keep schools open.”
The Governor further disclosed that he and others Governors in the North West Zone, had agreed to assist the military, particularly in efforts at employing scientific measures towards containing insecurity.
Earlier, the CAS restated the readiness of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) to rid Kaduna State and other parts of the country of banditry and other forms of criminality.
According to a statement by the Director Public Relations and Information Nigerian Air Force, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, “Air Marshal Amao, informed the Governor of President Mohammadu Buhari’s marching order to the Service Chiefs to rid the entire nation of all criminal elements, a task which, he said, the Services have sworn to execute expeditiously.”
Earlier on, the CAS had toured Units in NAF Base Kaduna, where he was briefed on ongoing operations within Kaduna and the North West Zone.
He also held an interactive session with officers, airmen and airwomen of the Air Training Command (ATC) and co-located Units in Kaduna, where he reiterated the need for jointness and cooperation with sister Services and other security agencies.
Addressing the personnel, Amao, said, “no real success can be achieved if we do not work together. We must also note that there are no individual trophies in the fight against insecurity.
“Personnel were also reminded to remain disciplined in the discharge of their duties while also assuring them of adequate measures to take care of all their welfare needs.”

By Okodili Ndidi