Southern Kaduna crisis cannot be resolved in a hurry, says Osinbajo

Acting President Yemi Osinbajo says it will take time for the crisis in the southern part of Kaduna state to be resolved.

Speaking on Friday during a meeting with stakeholders in the region, Osinbajo vowed to initiate a process that will bring about lasting peace.

He promised to hold separate meetings with the parties involved so as to have a better understanding of the situation.

Leaders of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Miyetti Allah Cattle breeders Association (MACBAN), and top officials of the Kaduna state government, attended the meeting.

“I will like to begin a discussion on the very terrible crisis that has gone on for a while in southern Kaduna,” he said.

“Let me say first that there is no question at all that many have suffered, families have lost loved ones, a lot of bloodletting has taken place in the past few weeks, and I want to express my sincere condolence to all of those who have lost families and friends and who have been traumatised by the terrible things that have been going on in the past few months.

“On this matter I have read documents; quite a few of the reports, as a matter of fact, I have tried very hard to study the crisis in southern Kaduna. Personally, I have read quite a few documents including reports of past crises. Recently, I took briefs from service chiefs, and since I got in today, I have been taking briefings form some of the senior officials of the armed forces and state security.

“I want to say that I don’t want us to be in a hurry, I am certainly not in a hurry because I don’t believe that a crisis where there is so much blood letting and hatred over the years can be resolved by a couple of meetings, no, I don’t believe that is possible

“I have talked to his excellency, the governor, that what I would like to achieve is not a quick fix, but I want us to begin a process and I want to be a part of that process that will listen to each group separately and then get everyone together.”

Erlier, Osinbajo inspected the terminal building at the Kaduna airport, and directed the contractors handling the project to increase their pace.

“We are here to inspect the progress of work at Kaduna airport because of the diversion of local and international flights from Abuja,” he said.

“We are looking at the state of readiness considering that this is a local airport and because it would take a lot of work to bring the airport to the kind of standard that will be required.

“I expect that within a short period of time, the airport will be usable.

“One thing that is very clear, not all foreign airlines have declined to come here. Some airlines are willing to come to Kaduna airport. I just spoke with Ethiopian Airlines and they are willing to come.

“I think that foreign airlines will, but what we need to tell them is that obviously this a temporary arrangement and they should really work with us on this.”

“We are concerned about safety and comfort as they are. They are here also to see for themselves, I am sure you have seen some of them.”