The Nigeria Police has established a mobile police base in Kafanchan to address security problems in Southern part of Kaduna State.

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Ibrahim Idris, announced the new base on Saturday when he visited the troubled area on fact finding.

He said: “From the discussion I had with Kaduna State Governor Malam Nasir El-Rufai, we have decided to station a mobile police base in Kafanchan. We are here to see things for ourselves so that we have a lasting peace in the whole area.”

The IGP said a panel had been set up to investigate the crisis in the area thoroughly, including the allegation that 800 people were killed in the crisis.

Idris said some of the reports on Southern Kaduna were exaggerated.

He said most of the leadership of the villages had a lot to contribute to peace and unity of the area.

“Some of the community leaders need to be cautioned. They are contributing to creating situation that does not exist.”

He said the police were committed to restore lasting peace and later met with community leaders in the area.

Meanwhile, Governor El-Rufai has described 2016 as a year of attainments and challenges for the state.

In his New Year message to the people of the state on Saturday in Kaduna, he said his government has confronted their difficulties with the same decisiveness that has produced results across sectors.

The governor said that amidst these successes, the state has experienced security challenges in parts of Southern Kaduna.

He regretted and condemned the loss of lives and property, and the disruption of social order witnessed in those areas.

He welcomed the assistance of the Federal Government in deploying additional security assets to the area.

“We have imposed discipline on the finances of our state, increased IGR and ensured that we pass our budget well before a new calendar year. We must uphold hope and a common humanity,” El-Rufai said.

Continuing, he said: “We invoke the blessings of the Almighty on all our people, that harmony will prevail in our land and that the apostles of violence and division will be shamed.

“We have high hopes for 2017; that it will be a year of peace and growth for our state, and our country, Nigeria.

“For us in Kaduna State, 2016 was a year of attainments and challenges. We made tangible progress in implementing our governance agenda. Much has been done, but much more remains to accomplish.”

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