By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

The Kebbi State Governor, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, on Monday interacted with the representatives of Coalition of Northern Groups who paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Birnin Kebbi.

The coalition under the leadership of Ibrahim Muhammed had recently held a rally in Birnin Kebbi to appreciate the response of the Federal Government to the protest against alleged wrongful actions by some members of the police.

Governor Bagudu lauded the group for peacefully protesting in support of the actions by the Federal Government, contrary to those protesting against every step taken by the Nigerian security agencies, especially the Police.

The Governor expressed excitement that CNG supports the good intentions of the Nigeria Police in tackling the various security challenges in the country.

He assured that more efforts will be taken to further protect the lives and property of Nigerians by the three tiers of government and the various security agencies.

Bagudu also disclosed that the #ENDSARS protests and the issues, therein, were on the front burner during the recent Nigerian Governors’ Forum and National Economic Council meetings.

He quoted the Lagos State Governor, Babatunde Sanwo-Olu, as telling the two meetings that President Muhammadu Buhari has approved all the five demands of the protesters.

“The Lagos Governor was expectant that frayed nerves will be calmed upon intimating the protesters about the development,” Bagudu, added.

Bagudu however regretted the loss of lives and property sequel to the protests, while condemning the attack on his Osun State counterpart, Gboyega Oyetola.

The Kebbi Governor described youths as the beacons of hope of the country, advising that they should not disappoint the nation. He assured the youth groups that his administration would continue to offer more opportunities for them as well as inform and mobilise them to benefit from Federal Government social investment, skill acquisition and employment opportunities.

The Governor directed for further meeting between government officials and the leadership of the Coalition in order to brainstorm and proffer solutions to the issues raised.

In his remarks, CNG leaderin Kebbi State Ibrahim Muhammed said the coalition supports all the measures so far taken by the Federal Government to address the issues raised by the #ENDSARS protesters.

These measures, according to the group include, the disbandment of SARS, as well as the formation of the Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT), to fill the void created by the disbandment of SARS.

He explained that coalition held a peaceful protest last Thursday, in Birnin Kebbi, to voice out its support in this direction.

Expatiating further on the rationale of the peaceful protest during a courtesy call on Gov. Bagudu, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed said that it supports measures to further protect the lives and property of all law abiding Nigerians.

According to the CNG boss, the North was regrettably plagued by myriad of security challenges that include Boko Haram, banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and armed robbery, among others.

Mohammed further noted that the more than one week old anti-SARS protests had lingered, it came with attendant loss of lives and property, especially in the South.

He opined that although the Constitution has given rights to the citizens to speak their minds on issues, such freedom should not trample on the freedom of others.

Mohammed also averred that, peace and agriculture were the inalienable pride of Kebbi State, saying: “We will continue to collaborate with the state government, to move the state forward.”

Earlier, the Chief of Staff Government House, Alhaji Suleiman Muhammed Argungu (Jarman Kabi) told the Governor that the CNG held a peaceful rally on Thursday, October, 15, 2020 under the leadership of Ibrahim Muhammed in Birnin Kebbi in support of the decision taken by the Federal Government to address issues raised by the protesters due to wrong actions by some members of the police force.

He added that even though the governor was away in Abuja but was represented by the Secretary to the State Government and Chief of Staff and on his return, he requested that the leadership be invited to further discuss how Kebbi State can facilitate a nationwide resolution of the issues.

Present at the courtesy visit were the State Deputy Governor, Rtd Col. Ismaila Yombe Dabai, Commissioners and other high ranking government officials.

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