Kaduna State’s Governor Uba Sani has defended his administration’s peace pact with terrorists, saying it was designed for preserving lives and ensuring peace, and that no fewer than 200 kidnapped victims had been freed as a result of the agreement.
Sani said a precondition for the reconciliation was the release of all captives held by the terrorists and the released victims signalled the terrorists’ sincerity with the pact.
The Governor spoke in an interview with BBC Hausa Service.
According to him, the decision followed six months of dialogue and did not involve any payment to the terrorists.
“If even one person were to be killed in Kaduna, it’s better for me to have the peace pact. Otherwise, Almighty Allah will hold me accountable because I took an oath,” he said.
Sani emphasised that his administration did not offer any monetary incentive to the terrorists to secure the agreement.
“I want to assure you that not even one Naira was given to them,” he reiterated.
According to him, the peace pact was facilitated with the support of traditional rulers and religious leaders, who played a vital role during the six months of discreet negotiations.
“They released the people to us. Now, business and farming activities are flourishing in our communities. That’s why I am assuring the communities that we will continue to pray and sustain the relief achieved,” the Governor said.
