Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State has firmly denied allegations of paying bandits, stating that no one who claims to fight for justice or the poor would consider compensating perpetrators of violence.
Speaking on Arise Television's Prime Time programme on Thursday, the governor emphasized that his administration has instead focused resources on supporting victims of banditry.
"I haven't given one naira to the bandits but I have built houses for the victims of banditry in Kaduna state," Governor Sani declared, addressing previous criticisms that suggested he was attempting to negotiate with armed groups.
The governor provided insights into his analysis of regional security challenges, distinguishing between the ideological nature of Boko Haram in the North-East and what he described as economically-driven insurgency in the North-West.
"When you are talking about insurgency in the North-West, it's an economic matter. That's why when we came in, I said, look, we can't resolve it with kinetic approach only," Sani explained.
He further elaborated on the criticism he faced when first taking office: "When I started, a lot of people were criticising me saying 'you are trying to pay bandits'. But I told them a man who fought for justice and for the downtrodden can't sit down with the bandit and pay him."
The governor highlighted his recent initiative to provide housing for victims of insurgency, which he presented as evidence of his commitment to supporting those affected by violence rather than its perpetrators.
This clarification comes amid ongoing security challenges in Kaduna State and the broader North-West region, where banditry and kidnapping have remained persistent issues affecting local communities.
Governor Sani's approach suggests a multi-faceted strategy that acknowledges both security operations and addressing underlying economic factors driving insecurity in the region.
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