Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has advised his colleagues in other states to ensure freedom of movement of all citizens of Nigeria as enshrined in the 1999 Constitution as amended.
He reiterated that one of the most important responsibilities of any government is the protection the lives and property of its citizens, irrespective of who they are and where they come from.
‘’Whether you are from Kaduna State or from elsewhere, so long as you live in Kaduna State, we have the responsibility to protect your life and property and to ensure that you live in peace,’’ he said.
The governor made these remarks today at Unguwar Ɗantsoho village in Kudan Local Government Area, where he went to commiserate with families of the 12 travellers who were murdered at Mangu, Plateau State, on their way to a wedding.
Leading a high-powered delegation comprising senior government officials, the governor commended the people of Kudan for not taking laws into their hands to avenge the killing of their kith and kin.
He recalled that when the incident happened, he sent a delegation of commissioners led by the Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Dr Abdulkadir Mu’azu Meyere, to condole with the families of the deceased.
According to the governor, he went to the 44 Military Hospital, Kaduna, yesterday to visit those that survived the attack but were injured ‘’and here I am in their very community to commiserate with them and also thank them for being peaceful.’’
‘’I’m also happy that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman of this local government also made a remark here, that all the Christians in this community are living in peace with the Muslim Ummah.
‘’This is a clear testament that in Kaduna State, everyone is living in peace irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations. We are a state that is highly diverse but we try as much as possible to remain in peace.’’
Governor Uba added: ‘’Kaduna State has not experienced a single ethno-religious crisis in the last two years since we came in, because of our political will to ensure peace.’’
The governor also promised to tar the road from Unguwar Ɗantsoho to Basawa in Sabon Gari Local Government, in addition to building a hospital for the area ‘’because they are very peaceful community.’’
Speaking earlier, the Chairman of Kudan Local Government, Alhaji Dauda Iliya Abba, said the people of the Area Council are happy because the governor showed concern and has been mourning with the people since the unfortunate killing took place last Friday.
According to him, the governor has been having sleepless nights since the incident happened and this shows he is a just leader who has the people’s wellbeing at heart.
The chairman who described the people of Kudan Local Government as one united family, promised that no reprisal will take place owing to the killing of the travellers.
Governor Uba Sani was escorted on the condolence visit by top government officials as well as a former governor of the state, Alhaji Tijjani Ramalan Yero.
