In response to Governor Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State's decision to use mercenaries to combat bandits in the state, the Arewa Youths Consultative Forum, AYCF, has expressed its support for the governor.
Yerima Shettima, the National President of the All Nigerian Congress for Freedom (AYCF), stated El-Rufai could enlist the assistance of foreign mercenaries if doing so will protect inhabitants of Kaduna.
El-Rufai had previously stated that if the Federal Government failed to address terrorism and general insecurity in the state, he would send in foreign mercenaries.
Shettima, on the other hand, believes that if El-approach Rufai's will result in the desired outcome, he should proceed.
"I wholeheartedly support that because, according to the constitution, El-Rufai has a responsibility to defend the inhabitants of Kaduna."
"So, if he believes he can no longer rely on our security personnel as a result of their compromises in one way or another, there is no reason why he should not bring in the mercenaries," says the author.
"And on this point, I completely support and agree with him," I said. All that we want right now is for the results to come in. Now is the time to put a stop to this craziness, once and for all.
There is no doubt that we have all of the Military Forces' bases in Kaduna, with the exception of Abuja, but now is not the time to go through all of these bottlenecks," he said. In order to keep Kaduna secure, we must adopt a radical new approach. What good is it to Nigerians and the people of Kaduna today that they are all there?
"So, if that is the only way he thinks, then let him do it; we can't continue to humiliate him in this way any longer."