We’ll not negotiate with bandits, clergymen can do so — El-Rufai

Governor Nasir ElRufai of Kaduna State has reiterated his administration’s stance not to negotiate with bandits, saying private citizens like clerics can do so in their individual capacities.

The governor’s statement is coming five days after gunmen abducted 39 students from the Federal College of Forestry Mechanization, Afaka in Igabi Local Government Area of the state. The bandits are demanding N500 million for the release of the students.

However, El-Rufai, while speaking at an expanded meeting of the State Security Council and Traditional Rulers at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House on Tuesday, said his job as governor is to enforce the law and help to prosecute people who commit offences.

“We will not engage with bandits or kidnappers. Private citizens like clerics and clergymen can do so in their individual capacities, to preach to them and ask them to repent.

“We also want them to repent but it is not our job to ask them to do so,” he said.

The governor argued that nomadic cattle breeding had been rendered obsolete by urbanisation and population growth as most of the cattle routes have been taken over by development.

He further explained that the best way to solve the farmer-herder clashes, cattle rustling and banditry is for nomadic herdsmen to live more sedentary lives in order for them to be more productive and give their children education and access to better healthcare.

El-Rufai said his government is implementing a big ranching project in Damau Grazing Reserve in Kubau Local Government Area, adding that the project will make about 1,500 herdsmen sedentary.

He further emphasized that the project will enable the herders to raise their cattle in a facility with pastures, a school and a Primary Health Centre, with a commercial partner ready to buy their milk.

The governor commended the security agents for their efforts in keeping Kaduna State residents safe, in spite of the challenges they are facing.

El-Rufai also called for the decentralization of the police force, maintaining that Nigeria is the only federation that operates a unitary police force that is funded but not controlled by state governments.