By Yarima Haruna, Birnin Kebbi
All Progressive Congress (APC)- controlled Kebbi state government has responded to Senator Garba Musa Maidoki’s baseless claims during his recent media outings about his contributions to addressing armed banditry in Kebbi State.
According to Abdulllahi Idris Zuru, Special Adviser to Kebbi Governor on Communication and Strategy, “ordinarily, there wouldn’t be any need to join issues with Senator Maidoki considering the sorrowful situation that engulfed Kebbi State, particularly Zuru emirate, resulting from the abduction of the students of Government Girls Secondary School, Maga.
“In addition, the response wouldn’t have been necessary in view of Senator Maidoki’s recent consistent antagonism against the execution of well thought out projects and programmes by Kebbi State government”.
The Governor’s Aide however stressed that for the need to correct the deliberate misrepresentation of facts, it should be noted that since the emergence of armed banditry in Kebbi State, there is never been a time when 200 communities were displaced.
“The about 50 communities verified to have been displaced along Wasagu and Sakaba axis, inherited by Governor Nasir Idris, were successfully returned to their homes by a combined team of security agencies deployed by the Defence headquarters on special request made by Governor Nasir Idris in collaboration with the traditional rulers,” the Governor’s Aide said.
He added that worthy of note, the procedures for posting of officers and men for field operations and strategic operations planning as it affects Kebbi State peculiar challenges are being handled by the Defence headquarters with the Governor fully involved and consistently updated.
“Undoubtedly, Senator Maidoki is fully aware of the procedures and the required logistics support provided to the security agencies by the towards ensuring the success of the operations, therefore he should not pretend and be making baseless claims.
“Similarly, the Senator cannot claim ignorance of the fact that the Koko-Zuru abandoned federal road project, the situation that caused devastating effect on the socio-economic well-being of the people of Zuru emirate is being executed by Governor Nasir Idris,” he said.
Zuru maintained that it is on record that Idris has demonstrated visible commitment towards securing the state with the provision of over 100 Hillux vehicles and 5,000 motorcycles to the security agencies in the state.
Other efforts made by the Governor included hosting security conferences for Northern Traditional Rulers Council, Kebbi Elders’ Consultative Forum, Progressive Governors’ Forum, Arewa Broadcast Media Practitioners Forum and interfaith religious leaders.
Participants at these critical Stakeholders’ conferences included: the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar lll; the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa; a former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Abdulrahaman Danbazau; the former Director of Military information, Major-General Usman Kuka Sheka; Professor Muhammad Attahiru Jega; Professor Muhammad Bande; Professor Umar Pate; and Dr Yahuza Getso, among others.
