From: Femi Oyelola, Kaduna
The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Kaduna state chapter has warned that deployment of foreign mercenaries could further heighten the presence of bandits in Nigeria.
The State Chairman of CAN Rev John Joseph Hayab stated this in a statement made available to the media in Kaduna yesterday.
Hayab who was reacting to a report that Governor, Mallam Nasir El-rufai, threatens to deploy foreign mercenaries should the federal government fail to combat bandits, and end terrorism, said what Nigeria needs currently is a sincerity of purpose from all stakeholders and the citizenry towards finding lasting solutions
According to him, CAN doubts if any section of the Nigerian Constitution allows any officeholder, apart from the C in C, to invite a foreign combatant into the country.
“Moreover, it was a similar strategy that El-rufai employed years back when he claimed to have compensated some herdsmen, which led to the escalation of the security situation, particularly in Kaduna state.
“For CAN, the approach to give gunmen money so that they would stop attacking the populace has backfired and Kaduna state is paying dearly for such a miscalculation at present.
“The federal government should, therefore, call Elrufai to order before his excesses lead Nigeria to a bigger problem, especially since the general elections are around the corner.
