TheCable

Uba Sani, governor of Kaduna, says persons displaced from their communities by bandits in southern part of the state would be resettled in their ancestral homes.

Sani spoke on Wednesday while addressing journalists at the end of the state security council meeting held at the  government house in Kaduna.

He said the state government has partnered with the troops of operation Save Heaven (OPSH) of the Nigerian Army to ensure the safe return of the displaced persons.

The governor said the displaced persons would be supported with essential logistics to ensure successful resettlement.

He added that the government would also rebuild the homes of victims destroyed during attacks by bandits.

“Fighting insecurity is the number one agenda of this administration because we believe, without resolving the security challenges, we might not be able to achieve all the development agenda of our government,” he said.

“We have invested a lot in the area of development, bu I believe addressing the problem of insecurity is key and  as a government, we have to ensure that our people live in a secured environment.”

The governor said reports have shown “we are making progress, and we will continue to support them in terms of logistics and technology”.

He said the government would continue to fight bandits, insurgents and other criminal elements terrorising Birnin Gwari and southern parts of the state.

“We  are working together with Operation Safe Haven under the command of the GOC 3 Division, Gen. Abdulsalam Abubakar the resettlement of displaced southern Kaduna communities,” he added.

“This is because the security and safety of our people is a fundamental human right of the people. It is not something that government needs to think twice before doing.

“It is our responsibility to make sure that everyone that was displaced as a result of insecurity is returned to homes safely and government will do that as its responsibility.

“Where they need to be supported in terms of rebuilding their community, we will do that. That is the responsibility of the government.”

Abdulsalam Abubakar, the general officer commanding (GOC ) 3 division of the Nigerian Army, said the first phase of the resettlement would begin with 15 communities.

  “What we did at the meeting was to reviewe the security situation in Kaduna state, but for me, I am responsible for southern Kaduna,” Abubakar said.

“So, what we are planning to do right now is to resettle about 15 communities back to their ancestral homes.

“But, they will be needing some logistics which the government will be providing to enable them settle  and start their normal lives once again.”