El-Rufai: Banditry threatening rural economy in north-west

Nasir El-Rufai, governor of Kaduna, says the activities of bandits and terrorists are threatening the economy of rural communities in the north-west.

El-Rufai spoke on Wednesday at a quarterly security meeting of state directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in the north-west.

The governor, represented by Samuel Aruwan, commissioner for internal security and home affairs, said terrorists have been making attempts to threaten the rural economy through attacks on farmers.

He said farmers in many northern states have been attacked on their farms and homes, adding that the activities of bandits were threatening both rural and urban regions.

“Many northern states – not least our states in the north-west – are confronting a unique set of security challenges,” the governor said.

“Criminal activities by bandits have threatened both rural and urban communities.

“Bandits have openly tried to crush the rural economy by attacking farmers in their fields, and in their homes.

“In many states, these criminals continue to menace some highways.”

He said the state had in the past months, recorded positive results in the fight against terrorists through collaboration with the DSS and other security agencies.

“Here in Kaduna state, especially over the last 18 months, we welcomed the intensification of ground and air action against the bandits, and we are most grateful to the federal security agencies for these operations and the successes recorded,” he added.

“Hundreds of bandits have been neutralized and numerous camps destroyed.

“During the last quarterly session of state directors of security held here nearly two years ago, we highlighted the importance of collaboration in the framework of security management.

“That importance has not diminished. If anything, it is even more pertinent as we seek to amplify our localized successes across the north-west.

“While we commend the unprecedented levels of collaboration over the common challenge of rural banditry and terrorism, one fact stands out clearly: the fight against banditry and terrorism in our states, has become even more condensed into one fight.

“Crucially, we must continue to strive for superior knowledge in these efforts to achieve greater precision, improved coherence between commands, reduced risk and enhanced responsiveness.”