We’ll import mercenaries to fight terrorists if soldiers fail us – El-Rufai

Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai says the governors in the region would have no choice but to seek help from mercenaries if the military fails to help fight terrorists.

He was speaking with journalists after meeting with President Muhammadu Buhari as the Presidential Villa on Friday.

Gunmen attacked a Kaduna-bound train on Monday, injuring 26 people, with eight bodies recovered and many more yet to be found.

“That is why I have come to see Mr President and also I have said that, if these actions are not taken, it becomes a must for us as governors to take measures to protect our citizens, even if it means we will import mercenaries from outside the country to do it, if our soldiers fail,” El-Rufai said.

“I swear to God, we will do that. This issue has got to an alarming state. Mr President assured me that he will take action and that this thing will be brought to an end within months.

“It is certainly an attempt to cripple the economy of Kaduna and that of northern Nigeria entirely. All these are only happening in the north — it is a disturbing development.

“All these are happening in Kaduna because people are investing in Kaduna, that is what they want to stop, they want to spoil Kaduna, which is the nerve centre of the north — the nerve centre of Nigeria politics.

“Some people say they are doing it because of me; it is not because of me, they want to fight President Muhammadu Buhari, fight our party and fight the north.”

The Kaduna governor had earlier in the week while receiving Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, accused the military of not attacking the terrorists, despite having information about them and knowing their hideout.