Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna state, Tuesday advised his colleagues in other states to ensure freedom of movement of all citizens of Nigeria as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.
The governor who made the remark following the recent killing of innocent travellers in Mangu, Plateau state, stated that one of the most important responsibilities of any government is the protection the lives and property of its citizens, irrespective of who they are and where they come from.
“Whether you are from Kaduna state or from elsewhere, so long as you live in Kaduna state, we have the responsibility to protect your life and property and to ensure that you live in peace,’’ he said.
The governor made the remarks at Kudan local government area, where he went to commiserate with families of the 12 travellers who were murdered at Mangu on their way to a wedding.
Leading a high-powered delegation comprising senior government officials, the governor commended the people of Kudan for not taking laws into their hands to avenge the killing of their kith and kins.
Governor Uba Sani recalled that when the incident happened, he sent a delegation of commissioners led by the Secretary to Kaduna State Government, Dr AbdulKadir Muázu Meyere, to condole with families of the deceased.
The governor stated further that he went to the 44 Military Hospital Kaduna on Monday to visit the survivors, saying: “And here I am in their very community to commiserate with them and also thank them for being peaceful.”
“I’m also happy that the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman of this local government also made a remark here that all the Christians in this community are living in peace with the Muslim Ummah.
“This is a clear testament that in Kaduna state, everyone is living in peace irrespective of religious or ethnic affiliations. We are a state that is highly diverse but we try as much as possible to remain in peace,’’ he added.