Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has accused some communities of shielding suspected criminals in their midst as the government strives to tackle insecurity in the state.

“It is of great concern how communities shield criminals living amongst them. There are criminals in every ethnic group and in every religion,” Mr El-Rufai said on Wednesday.

Mr El-Rufai spoke when he visited the chief of Kagoro, Ufuwai Bonet, at his palace in Kaura Local Government Area to condole with him over the recent attack in the area.

The governor stressed that residents must be ready to report criminals to security agencies if insecurity ravaging the state must end.

Mr El-Rufai stated that peace can only be achieved if communities respect constituted authorities and report suspects to the security agencies.

He tasked the traditional rulers to do more by living up to their responsibility in providing leadership.

“The situation in which youths have taken over leadership of communities is unacceptable.

“If the traditional institutions and other officials cannot provide leadership, we might as well dissolve them and hand over leadership to the youths if that is what will bring peace.

“I want to appeal to you all to rise up to your leadership roles and let us know those behind these crimes so we can deal with them,’’ he said.

The governor promised that the state government would take care of those displaced by the attack and return them to their communities.

(NAN)