Bola Tinubu, presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has promised to wipe out bandits and terrorists in Kaduna and other parts of the northern region if elected as president.
The former Lagos governor gave the assurance on Monday during a visit to Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State to sympathise with the people on the incessant bandits’ attacks in the area.
Speaking at the palace of the Emir of Birnin Gwari, Mallam Zubairu Maigwari, Tinubu condoled with the people of the Emirate over the loss of lives and property as a result of years of attacks by bandits.
He explained that the visit to Birnin Gwari was to have first-hand knowledge of the area and its peculiar security and socioeconomic challenges, promising to wipe out banditry from the area when he is elected into office as president.
“I stand before you, sir, to say that there is a good opportunity coming. The election is near,” he said, adding that “we serve them notice again that we will not relent in our efforts to eliminate banditry. I can assure you, that will be our priority.”
On his part, the Emir of Birnin Gwari commended the APC presidential candidate for braving the odds to visit the volatile community, a gesture he described as uncommon.
In appreciation, the Emir bestowed the chieftaincy title of Dakare of Birnin Gwari on Tinubu for being the first presidential candidate to visit the bandits-ravaged community.
Tinubu travelled to Birnin Gwari by road amidst tight security.
The APC presidential candidate was accompanied by his running mate, Kashim Shettima; Governor Nasir El-Rufai; the Director General of the APC presidential campaign and Governor of Plateau State, Simon Lalong, the governors of Kano state, Abdullahi Ganduje; Jigawa, Abubakar Badaru; Kebbi, Atiku Bagudu, and the APC governorship candidate in Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani.