Don’t politicize insurgency, Sambo appeals to Nigerians

From Edwin Olofu, Kano

Vice President, Namadi Sambo has urged Nigerians to isolate politics from the current security challenges in the country, asserting that the federal government is doing everything possible to bring an end to terrorism in the country.

“The security apparatus in the country is headed by Muslims. The National Security Adviser of this country, is a Muslim Col. Sambo Dasuki, from Sokoto the Minister of Defence, Gen. Aliyu Gusau is from Zamfara, is a Muslim, The Inspector General of Police is from Jigawa State – Sulaiman Abba is a Muslim and myself, the Vice President, I’m a Muslim from Kaduna State, Zaria. These high positioned people that are Muslims and shouldered with responsibilities by Mr. President cannot be a party to people that will perpetrate these heinous acts against their Muslim or Christian brothers”, Sambo maintained.

“I must use this opportunity to warn those that have been spreading mischievous rumours all over that the government is involved. I want to say it categorically clear that the government is not a party to this; the government is doing everything possible to arrest these terrorist acts,” he added.

 The Vice President who stated this when he paid a sympathy  visit to Gov. Rabi’u Musa Kwankwaso of Kano State at Government House, Kano Monday, also strongly condemned the last Friday’s bomb attack which killed hundreds of people in Kano city, during a Friday prayer at the Central Mosque.

He stated that federal government has already donated blood from its Blood Banks from Kaduna and Katsina states, to assist the injured persons, adding that NEMA would soon provide the victims with medical and other essentials goods as assistance.

Responding, Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso appreciated the federal government’s concern over the incidence, appealing for adequate equipping of security agencies with modern facilities to enable them perform effectively.

He told the Vice President that the state security council in conjunction with Kano Emirate Council are working together to restore peace in the state.

Earlier, Vice President Sambo has paid a similar visit to the Emir of Kano Malam Muhammad Sanusi II, accompanied by Governor Kwankwaso.

During the visit, the Emir appealed to federal government to investigate the attack thoroughly and bring any person found involved to book.

The Vice President also visited Kano Central Mosque where the insurgents attacked Muslims and Murtala Muhammad where the injured persons are receiving treatment.

Meanwhile, Katsina State government has donated N10 million eight trucks of foodstuffs to especially families of these who lost their loves ones.

Governor Shehu Shema who announced the donation during a sympathy visit to the government and people of Kano State also Monday, described the attack as barbaric, lamenting that leaders must find a lasting solution to this insurgency in this part of the country.

Receiving the donation, Gov. Rabi’u Kwankwaso thanked the government and people of Katsina State for identifying with their Kano brothers during this time of grief.