TheCable

Nasir el-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, says the shutdown of telecommunication services in some parts of the state will aid the efforts of the military in tackling insecurity.

Last month, the state government ordered the shutdown of telecommunication networks in several communities as a measure to curb insecurity.

The state also banned the use of motorcycles for commercial and personal purposes.

“As part of the steps to address the current security situation in Kaduna state and neighbouring states in the north-west and north-central regions, KDSG has held several meetings with security agencies to adopt critical measures towards crushing bandits in their identified hideouts,” Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, had said.

Speaking on the decision at an event on Thursday, el-Rufai appealed to residents for understanding, adding that the measures were aimed at complementing military operations.

The governor spoke through Hadiza Balarabe, his deputy, while delivering a goodwill message to Ahmed Bamali at an event to mark his first anniversary as the 19th Emir of Zazzau.

El-Rufai urged residents to support security agencies to ensure that peace is restored to the state.

“These are tough times. We need to continue to support the security agencies to end the killings and pillage criminals are inflicting on our people,” he said.