Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has warned politicians who politicise security matters in the name of opposition to desist from doing so as not to jeopardise the lives of innocent citizens.

The governor made the remark at the Council Chambers of Sir Kashim Ibrahim House, when he received 58 kidnap victims rescued by security forces and handed over to the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu on Saturday in kaduna.

He vowed to deal with such politicians who derive joy in the escalation of insecurity to advance their political interests.

Mr Sani said, “The merchants of insecurity will not be happy with the release of these innocent souls because they are benefiting from insecurity. As an elected governor, I swore to protect the lives and property of the people of Kaduna State and we have been doing our best to fulfil this obligation. Through our Kaduna Peace Model which emphasises the use of non-kinetic approach, Birnin Gwari which used to be ‘a no-go area’ for most people has become peaceful. Bandits had laid down their arms and markets that have been closed down for over 10 years have now been reopened. Business activities have started booming in Birnin Gwari and parts of Giwa Local Government, which were hitheto ravaged by insecurity.”

Mr Sani promised that the people of Kauru, Kajuru and parts of Kachia who were experiencing pockets of bandits’ attacks, would soon be sleeping with their two eyes closed, saying, “because security forces are on top of the situation.’’

“The success that the non-kinetic approach has yielded is a source of anger to most people who don’t have the welfare or wellbeing of our people at heart. They only go on social media to express their anger.’’

Mr Sani further said that he would not mind if political opponents insulted him on social media but promised to deal with those whose pastime was to spread lies and politicise insecurity in the state.

He added, ‘’Politicising insecurity is not opposition and the elite doing so on social media don’t really care about the masses. They are just posting messages to further their political interests.”

The governor recalled that the 59 released kidnapped victims were given psycho-social therapy and treatment by the state government for 11 days, adding that one of them was still undergoing treatment.

Mr Sani promised that his administration would support the victims to get back on their feet by giving them grants to continue with their businesses and farming activities.

Speaking earlier, Pastor Danlami Mutane, who commended the government for taking good care of them, further thanked the National Security Adviser for facilitating their release.

Similarly, Raliya Ibrahim thanked Mr Sani and the Commissioner for Human Services and Social Development, Rabi Salisu, for the support that was extended to them.

(NAN)