Governor Uba Sani on Wednesday visited Kurmin Wali community in Kajuru Local Government Area of Kaduna State, following the controversial abduction of scores of villagers by bandits and promised the quick rescue of those taken.
The Governor said the State Government was working closely with security agencies to ensure the safe return of the abducted persons, stressing that the protection of lives and property remained a top priority of his administration.
Sani was accompanied on the visit by the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Rabiu; Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Sule Shuaibu (SAN); Chairman of Kajuru Local Government Area, Dauda Madaki; and other senior government officials and security personnel.
Addressing residents, the Governor said he was in the community to personally sympathise with them over the attack that occurred on Sunday, assuring that the state would not abandon the victims or their families.
He said: ‘In Kaduna State, every life matters. We are here to assure the people of Kurmin Wali that the government is collaborating with all security agencies to ensure that those abducted return home safely’.
Sani said some residents sustained injuries during the incident, adding that the State Government would bear the cost of medical treatment for all affected persons.
He explained that security agencies initially took time to verify details of the incident, but noted that government attention was now firmly focused on rescuing the abductees.
The Governor said the state was working with the military, the Department of State Services (DSS), the police and the Office of the National Security Adviser to secure the release of the victims.
He dismissed debates over the number of abducted persons, insisting that even if one person was taken, the government had a duty to act decisively.
‘We are not talking about numbers or politics. We are talking about the sanctity of human life. Whether one person or many, the responsibility of government remains the same’, he said.
Governor Sani cautioned against politicising insecurity, warning that commentary from people far removed from the situation could undermine efforts to resolve it.
He said the reception he received in Kurmin Wali showed that residents trusted the government and believed in its inclusive approach to governance, regardless of religion or ethnicity.
The governor assured the community that the abducted villagers would be recovered within days, expressing confidence in the ongoing security operations.
Responding to demands by community leaders, Governor Sani acknowledged the poor condition of the access road to Kurmin Wali and promised immediate intervention.
He disclosed that he had already engaged the Minister of Defence and other security chiefs, urging the establishment of a military base in the area due to its proximity to bandit-prone forests.
According to him, the location of Kurmin Wali makes it vulnerable, adding that a permanent military presence would prevent criminals displaced from major highways from relocating to rural communities.
Uba Sani also announced plans to build a befitting hospital in the community to address long-standing healthcare challenges.
He further directed relevant agencies to commence processes for the construction of the road, assuring residents that a groundbreaking would take place in the coming days.
Speaking during the visit, President of the Southern Kaduna People’s Union (SOKAPU), Mr. Tabara Katoh, commended the governor for what he described as pragmatic and compassionate leadership.
Katoh said Sani was the first sitting governor to visit Kurmin Wali, adding that his actions had reassured the community despite conflicting reports surrounding the abduction.
He said attempts by political detractors to exploit the situation would fail, stressing that the community’s support for the governor was based on performance, not politics.
It was revealed that, the abductors were yet to make any monetary ransom demand, although some escapees said the bandits demanded motorcycles in exchange for the hostages.
