TheCable

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, has assured that the children abducted from Government Secondary School Kuriga, Chikun LGA, will be rescued.

On Thursday morning, bandits invaded the primary and secondary schools and abducted some 287 students.

Speaking on the development, Sani reiterated his call for the establishment of state police.

The governor said a decentralised police force would complement efforts of security agencies who are sometimes overwhelmed with securing lives and property across the country.

“I have briefed Mr. President and the national security adviser on the Kuriga situation. I received strong assurances from them that all measures are being taken to bring back the pupils and students,” Sani said.

“A security committee will be established in Kuriga, with membership drawn from key stakeholders in Kuriga community, security agencies, and the state government.

“I will make a strong case to the chief of defence staff and chief of army staff for the establishment of a military base in Kuriga to strengthen security in the area.

“The unfortunate Kuriga incident reinforces our position in support of the establishment of state police.

“With state police, there will be a standing police force in Kuriga, drawn from members of the community who understand the terrain, the people and the issues at play. They can gather intelligence with ease.

“They will also be constitutionally empowered to bear arms, including sophisticated ones. This is important because vigilante groups are not allowed to carry arms. They are always at the mercy of these criminal elements who have scant regard for human life.”

Sani has been at the forefront of the clamour for the creation of state police.

Last month, Mohammed Idris, minister of information, said the federal government may adopt state police to check the spate of insecurity in the country.