The Emir of Katsina, Dr. Abdulmumini Kabir Usman, on Tuesday
admonished the federal government to find a lasting solution to the killings of
innocent Nigerians by bandits before embarking on any agricultural project.
The monarch said many farmers in the northern part
of country have abandoned their farms for fear of being kidnapped or killed by bandits,
urging the federal government to devise workable means to end the menace.
Usman stated this when he received the Minister of
Agriculture and Natural Development, Audu Ogbeh, in company of the Central Bank
of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Godwin Emefiele, at his palace in Katsina.
The traditional ruler described the menace as not
only worrisome but unacceptable, saying: "The government must ensure it put all
measures in place to stop the killings."
The Emir accused politicians of aiding the current
banditry in some part of the country, alleging that "there are politicians
who are perpetrating this killings and they are within the government. What
will you gain from kidnapping and killing people?"
According to the monarch, "I have not seen a
country like this. How do we live like this? We are living like animals. Nobody
is safe. Magaji Garin Daura was kidnapped four days ago. We don't have
resources to fight the bandits, but the government has all the resources to
fight them.
"Many farmers and herdsmen have abandoned
their farms, so minister please tell the president that we need security in
this country. All these projects you are initiating will not be sustainable if
there is no security. So for me, security is paramount than any other project
for now."
He explained that those who pose obstacles which
are hindering Nigeria's progress must not be tolerated, saying matters like
insecurity are matters that should be accorded national priority, as he noted
that security "must be handle with all seriousness."
Responding, the minister told the Emir that the government
was working hard through job creation especially on agriculture to reduce and
ultimately eradicate the threat for the survival of the country.
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