TheCable

Nasir el-Rufai, Kaduna governor, says the recent abduction of school children in Kebbi is not a good sign for security in the north-west.

El-Rufai stated this during a visit to Atiku Bagudu, Kebbi governor, on Thursday.

On June 17, gunmen had attacked the Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri, Kebbi, and abducted several students and teachers.

So far, security operatives have rescued 11 of the victims.

Speaking in Kebbi, el-Rufai expressed sadness over the attack, and called for urgent action to address insecurity in the region.

“We were very happy that the challenges of banditry and kidnapping that plagued Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and even Kaduna did not affect Kebbi,” NAN quoted him as saying.

“Kebbi was an island of peace in a sea of banditry. The recent development is disturbing. It portends a serious danger to security in the north-west region.

“Kebbi has become the centre of rice production in the country. Rice is eaten by many Nigerians. This is another reason this development is disturbing.”

He, however, noted that in Kaduna, the state government is working with security operatives to address the challenges.

“As a state government, there is a limit to what we can do. We have no full control over the army, the police or the air force,” he said.

“The security agencies have been doing their best. We all need to do more. We all have to play our roles in the circumstances we find ourselves.”

He commended the federal government for its support, and expressed optimism that the security challenges in the region will soon be eradicated.