From Sola Ojo, Kaduna
The Kaduna State Vigilance Service (KADVS) on Wednesday assures Persons With Disability (PWD) of adequate protection at the grassroots level, especially during elections and other civic responsibilities.
Deputy Commander, KADVS, Rtd Col Khalid Muhammad gave the reassurance when he played host to the leadership of The All-Right Foundation popularly known as TAF Africa at the Service headquarters in Kaduna on Wednesday afternoon.
According to the Deputy Commander, KADVS as a constituted security outfit is working round the clock to support conventional security agencies especially the Police to ensure security in Kaduna State.
He said “we are happy that TAF Africa recognised our role in securing the state.
We are well represented in all the 23 local government areas of the state and I want to inform you that our offices all the state are open to all.
“It may interest you to know that some of your members are part of us at the community level. That collaboration has been helpful in what we are doing.
“In terms of your future engagements including elections, keep us posted especially in the areas we need to further collaborate. As a government agency, we provide all-inclusive security services for people residing in any part of the state”, he said.
Vice Chairman, Joint National Association of Persons With Disability and TAF Africa Coordinator in the State, Abubakar Adam commended KADVS for its support for PWD over the years especially when there is any social unrest.
“We know the nooks and crannies of Kaduna and we know the role the vigilantes are playing to protect our communities. We have just come to thank you because you have done a lot for the PWD.
“There was a time we witnessed a crisis along Kano Road that led to people scampering into safety. But our people who are blind, crippled could not run. We saw what vigilantes did to move these people into safety during that crisis.
“So, we joined TAF Africa to be here, and like Oliver Twist we are here to say thank you and to enjoin you to continue to support our people anywhere you see them”, he said.
Earlier, Programme Officer, TAF Africa, Godfrey Oche Ogah noted that the visit to KADVS became necessary as a deliberate plan to cascate what TAF Africa is doing at the national level to Kaduna communities.
“PWD need your support in terms of elections and other things they are doing because you operate more at the grassroots level.
“Again, sometimes there are crises in the community where vigilantes will be the first point of call security agents. So we are here to seek your collaboration, partnership, and support”, he said.
TAF AFRICA is implementing a six-month Canadian government via the Canadian Fund for Local Initiative (CFLI) project titled “Strengthening Institutions for Governance and Rule of Law to Promote Disability Inclusion at the Grassroots Level” in Kaduna State.