April 03, (THEWILL) – The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has said that the miscalculation of Kaduna State Governor, Malam Nasir el-Rufai, is one of the reasons terrorists have engulfed the State.
The Association was reacting to reported threats by the Kaduna State Governor to deploy foreign mercenaries, should the federal government fails to combat bandits, and end terrorism in the State.
El-Rufai, had told a Hausa Radio journalist in Abuja that he would hire foreign machineries to fight terrorism if the federal government failed to do its job.
Speaking in an interview after he had met with President Muhammadu Buhari over Monday’s train attack by terrorists, the Governor had said: “up till now, the security has not gone to kill them? Where are our soldiers? Why have they not done it? That is why I have come to see Mr President.”
“And also I have said that if these actions are not taken, it becomes a must for us as governors to take measures to protect our citizens, even if it means we will import mercenaries from outside the country to do it. If our soldiers fail, I swear to God, we will do that. This issue has gotten to an alarming state”, he added.
But in a statement issued on Saturday, the Chairman of CAN in Kaduna State, Rev John Joseph Hayab said while CAN agrees that terrorists have had a field day in Kaduna State, it reckon that if any other Nigerian had made or muted such an idea in public space, such would have been accused or arrested by the government for undermining the security agencies and the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces.
“Accordingly, CAN doubts if any section of the Nigerian Constitution allows any officeholder, apart from the C in C, to invite a foreign combatant into the country.
“Moreover, it was a similar strategy that El-Rufai employed years back when he claimed to have compensated some herdsmen, which led to the escalation of the security situation, particularly in Kaduna state.”
THEWILL recalls that El-Rufai had admitted to have paid some suspected herdsmen to stop killing the people of Southern Kaduna.
About seven years after the governor made the payment, more communities have been attacked.
According to CAN, “the approach to give gunmen money so that they would stop attacking the populace has backfired and Kaduna state is paying dearly for such a miscalculation at present.”
The Association therefore asked “The federal government, to “call El-Rufai to order before his excesses lead Nigeria to a bigger problem especially since the general elections are around the corner.”
“CAN acknowledge that what Nigeria needs currently is a sincerity of purpose from all stakeholders and the citizenry towards finding lasting solutions, not subjective statements that could further heighten the presence of bandits in Nigeria”, the statement added.
The Christian body said it will continue to pray and urge citizens to be on the watch against any erroneous direction that could do the country no good but harm.
