TheCable

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna state, says there is no going back on the establishment of a military barracks in southern Kaduna.

On February 5, Tukur Buratai, chief of army staff, laid the foundation for the establishment of battalion at Ungwan Yashi area of Zangon Kataf local government area, but less than five days after, some persons destroyed it.

But speaking on Wednesday when a delegation from Kaura local government paid him a visit, el-Rufai said: “No matter what some mischievous people are doing, they will not succeed by the grace of God.”

He said manipulating religion and ethnicity was destructive and would not benefit anyone.

“We have talked with the chief of army staff. There is no going back on the military barracks project in southern Kaduna,” he said.

“There is no going back on our quest to ensure the protection of life and property, there is no going back in our resolve to enforce the law in the state.

“One life matters to us because we are all humans created by God and we have the constitutional responsibility on our heads. And above all, we all represent one humanity under God.

“Manipulating religion and ethnicity with dangerous narratives will not benefit our people. It has not worked anywhere, instead, it is dangerous and destructive.

“What we need is nothing but the truth. And we will continue to work for peace and solutions to the unfortunate security challenges.”