Governor Nasir El-Rufai has appealed to the people of Kaduna state to get involved in agriculture, to reduce hunger and prices of foodstuff.

Mr El-Rufai gave the advice when he paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli, on the traditional Hawan Bariki on Tuesday in Zaria.

The governor said his administration was working hard to ensure that the activities of bandits against farmers are tackled.

“The Kaduna State Government will continue to do everything it can to mobilise and support the federal security agencies to defeat the terrorists and criminals that attack our people,” he said.

The governor also listed measures that the state had been taking in tackling insecurity since he assumed office in 2015.

He said his administration had summoned an emergency meeting of the state security council to identify threats across the state.

“The aim was to fund a joint military operation to clear the Kamuku-Kuyambana Forest in the Birnin Gwari axis and other areas harbouring Cattle rustlers,” he said.

Mr El-Rufai said it was regrettable that while the result of his action decimated the criminals, necessary follow-up operations were not sustained by the security agencies.

Mr El-Rufai said he remained convinced that comprehensive, simultaneous military and security operation in Kaduna, Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Plateau and Niger, was vital to stopping the terrorists.

The governor pointed out that criminal elements were being assisted by a network of informants in many communities, adding that the traditional institutions should mobilise their networks to expose them and support the security forces with local intelligence.

(NAN)