El-Rufai begs Kaduna residents to remain calm after escaping deadly attack

gov-2

The Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, on Wednesday appealed to citizens in the state not to react to the treatment meted on him by demonstrators in Kafanchan, Jema’a local government area on Tuesday.

Mr. El-Rufai and his entourage were pelted with stones and some of their vehicles damaged after addressing some demonstrators, immediately after he held the state security council meeting in the area.

The official residence of the local government chairman, Bege Katuka, was also burnt down in the attack.

According to a resident of Kafanchan who witnessed the attack on the governor,  the attack was not by women who initiated the protest, but by youth who joined the protesters.

“They threw dangerous items at the governor. Bottles, stones and rods. They were shouting and singing hate songs,” the resident said.gov-3

The governor’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, disclosed in an official statement that Mr. El-Rufai considered the unfortunate event as part of the burden of leadership.

He added that the governor urged that there should be no reaction to the incident, other than a continued commitment to restoring peace and harmony.

The statement quoted the governor as saying that “in the name of God, I am begging you. No one should take the law into his or her hand over what happened in Kafanchan.

“Although it is unfortunate, we must rise above induced prejudice and hatred. We must defeat hate with patience, love and dedication to duty and not an eye for an eye.

“It is also a burden of leadership and we will, by the special grace of God, overcome these forces of darkness who are dividing our citizens using religion, ethnicity and politics. I commend the high sense of professionalism exhibited by security personnel.

gov-1“I listened to three of the women who led the protesters as they asked me questions. I answered them and even invited them to a larger meeting, but they went on the rampage and burnt the residence of the local government chairman.

“The government of Kaduna State and the Security Council sympathise with the chairman of Jema’a local government, Dr. Bege Katuka, and his family over the unfortunate incident that led to the burning of their home. Our prayers and support go with them,” the statement quoted the governor as saying.

In a related development, the state government has imposed a 24-hour curfew on three local government areas.

The affected areas are Zangon-Kataf, Kaura and Jema’a.

The government said it took the step following credible intelligence about risk to lives and property in the areas.

DOWNLOAD THE PREMIUM TIMES MOBILE APP

Now available on

  Premium Times Android mobile applicationPremium Times iOS mobile applicationPremium Times blackberry mobile applicationPremium Times windows mobile application

TEXT AD:DIABETES Is CURABLE! Don't Let It Threaten You! To NORMALIZE Your Blood Sugar In 21Days For Life, Click Here!!!.

All rights reserved. This material and any other material on this platform may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, written or distributed in full or in part, without written permission from PREMIUM TIMES.

  • Muhammad

    A good display of maturity for governance .

    • VERITAS_ the rock of ages_

      If they were shiites would he display same Maturity of governance? (tossing an imaginary coin in the air, catch it with my right hand, slap it on the back of my left hand, peek at it, is it heads or tail?)

      • Muhammad

        The Shiites have a known identity against this faceless miscreants .
        The Shiites are not likely to be found in this kind of relationship where there will be no specific things they can take responsibility for , even if others may disagree with the justification .
        The two are not comparable in principle , commitment and scope .
        The risk differ .

    • Kudo

      Please do not be deceived

    • Kallah Bature

      Yes that is the price leaders pay always.But and a big BUT, perpetrators of this ignoble act must be fished out and punished in accordance with the law in the interest of larger society.This will serve as a deterance for future occurance.The usual levity in handling irresponsibility in this volatile state MUST stop.

  • VERITAS_ the rock of ages_

    I wonder if they were shiites if he would display such calm mature reaction?

    • olausama

      a mischievous leader with a double standard mentality.

  • Artful ºDodger

    These is what you get when you are not doing the right thing. If you had used the state resources to create state farms- crops, poultry, fishery and cattle ranches etc that will engage all these youths who do not go to school, they will not be on the streets throwing stones. But Nigerian leaders are myopic and living in denials in their wait for investors/utopia.

    • VERITAS_ the rock of ages_

      well said.

  • Rommel

    My only pain is that when this upheaval that people have been advocating for starts,the online warriors that have been promoting it would all disappear

  • ojays

    Poor leaders will always be assaulted either verbally or physically. If he had led the state justly and properly he would be welcomed with drums and dances. I don’t pity him.

  • emmanuel

    El-Rufai sure going to set Kaduna State on fire very soon. Hear him “It is also a burden of leadership and we will, by the special grace of God, overcome these forces of darkness who are dividing our citizens using religion, ethnicity and politics”
    The three factors he mentioned above are the major basis for societal leadership and representation. They become sore when those in leadership misuse them.
    He should therefore blame himself for leading wrongly!

    • neva see

      If you know nothing….. SHUT UP! It helps

      • Teflonjones

        Silence is good for the ethnic cleansing. I understand.

  • Abimbola

    Who are the people the governor was asking not to react, his Fulani footsoldiers? The governor knows and has been paying the Fulani herdsmen killing the Southern Kaduna people. Na everybody get hin own craze o. When Southern Kaduna people start dem own, the governor, his Fulani footsoldiers and conspirators will all run for cover.