Speaking yesterday in Kaduna on the occasion of the formal launch of the ``Operation Yaki’’, the anti-crime out-fit initiated by Kaduna state government at Murtala Muhammad Square Jonathan said: ‘’Our end goal is to ensure that our streets and our creeks are safe,’’ adding that ‘’our homes and villages become better livable spaces so that our towns and cities are transformed into secure dwelling places for the benefit of our people.’’
Dr. Jonathan said the initiative, according to the government of Kaduna state will employ 2,000 people and will be backed by 75 patrol vehicles fully equipped with communication gadgets and a helicopter from the police headquarters, pointing out that, ‘’here lies the beauty of the out-fit, recognising that a siignificant percentage of the crimes committed may be job related.’’
According to him, the government of Kaduna state decided to create jobs even as it focuses on eliminating high and low crimes in the society, noting that the struggle to reclaim Kaduna state from the hands of criminals has begun.
The Vice President called on all patriots in the state to become fully involved because there is a lot at stake, pointing out that: ‘’as you all know, this city gained reputation as the nerve centre of Northern Nigeria and it is believed that it is one place where prominent citizens in this part of the country would first prefer to have a home outside their home towns.’’
He reaffirmed the committement and support of the federal government towards reducing criminality in the state and the country to the barest minimum, stressing the need to have a regional synergy to achieve effective law enforcement.
He said ``we can not afford the recycling of criminals’’, suggesting that due emphasis be placed on intelligence gathering and grassroots campaigns targeted at value orientation.
Earlier in his remark , Governor Namadi Sambo of Kaduna state had said that his government had taken bold steps to ensure that criminal activities in the state become histroy.
Govenor Sambo said no serious government can achieve its desired goals under insecurity, adding that it is the responsibilty of the government to protect the lives and property of its citizenery.
He said it is on this reason his government initiatied this noble operation tagged: ``Operation Yaki’’ aimed at tackling and addressing the issue of insecurity for which the government has employed 2,000 people and backed by 75 patrol vehicles fully equipped with sophoisticated gadgets.