TheCable

The Kaduna government has asked the Nigerian Army to deploy more troops to tackle insecurity in the state.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Hadiza Balarabe, deputy governor of Kaduna, stated this when Faruk Yahaya, chief of army staff, paid a courtesy visit to the government house in Kaduna.

Balarabe said though the military operations in the state have recorded progress in tackling crime, more troops are needed to enhance security.

The deputy governor said the Kaduna-Kachia-Kafanchan road and the Kaduna-Birnin Gwari road require more military presence to put an end to the activities of bandits in those areas.

“We are appealing for more deployment of troops along the Kaduna-Kachia road. This is one place that, in recent times, has become a very serious source of concern,” she said.

“Initially, we were thinking of the Kaduna-Abuja highway, but now because of the presence of troops there, kidnapping and banditry have moved to Kaduna-Kachia-Kafanchan axis.”

Balarabe said Igabi, Chikun, Giwa, Kajuru, and Zangon Kataf LGAs, including troubled areas in southern Kaduna, need the attention of more troops to ensure the safety of lives and property.

‘’We have had relative peace until recently when the crisis in Zangon Kataf started again, and we feel that we should have more troops deployed there because it’s like the situation is overwhelming,’’ she said.

The army chief commended Nasir el-Rufai, governor of the state, for the support given to the troops.

Yahaya, who said he is in Kaduna to attend a seminar for senior officers, said the troops will do their best to flush out criminal elements in the state.