Emir of Katsina rejects govt’s agric program, demands security

Worried by the incessant rate of kidnapping in recent times, the Emir of Katsina Abdulmumini Kabir Usman on Monday told the Minister of Agriculture, Audu Ogbe to inform President Muhammadu Buhari that Katsina farmers and herders have abandoned their farms and herds for fear of kidnapping and killings.

The minister and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele were at the emir’s palace in Katsina to pay homage ahead of the national launching of distribution of cotton seeds/inputs to farmers for the 2019 planting season.

While appreciating the gesture by the government, the Emir said security of live and property should be prioritized.

“Hon Minister, tell the president that we have to take very good care of our people, security first. All these programmes, as good as they are, cannot be without security. Security is first and fundamental,” the emir said.

“Every day I receive reports of kidnapping and killings from district and village heads,” the traditional ruler added.

Read also: 75 political parties applaud INEC on conduct of 2019 elections

He alleged that government officials, politicians and wealthy individuals who were enemies within and outside government were behind the incessant killings and kidnapping across the country.

“What are you to gain by killing, kidnapping people? It’s very unfortunate. I have not seen this kind of country; how do we live like animals? Three days ago Magajin Gari (of Daura emirate council) was abducted, nobody is safe now, whether in your house or road, wherever you are,” he added.

“What we want you to do for us is to stop the fight. Many people have deserted, abandoned their farms in fear of kidnapping and killings and other atrocities, it’s very unfortunate,” he said.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now