Terrorists from Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Kebi, and other states have arrived in Nasarawa – Gov. Sule reveals

By Adeleye Kunle

Only two days after Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule ordered the closure of schools due to insecurity, he has raised concerns about the inversion of terrorists from Kaduna Zamfara, Niger Kebbi, and other states into Nasarawa State.

Sule called an emergency security council meeting yesterday to assess the state’s security situation in the aftermath of reports that the state had been taken over by terrorists from other parts of the country.

According to the governor, the purpose of the emergency security meeting held at Government House was to take proactive measures in light of the country’s security situation, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), where over 800 inmates recently escaped from the Kuje correctional facility.

During the expanded security meeting, the governor raised the alarm that large groups of suspected fleeing terrorists from Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi, and Kaduna states had been identified in Rugan Juli and Rugan Madaki in Karu Local Government Area, a surbub of the Federal Capital Territory, as well as Wamba and Toto local government areas of the state.

The governor confirmed that the influx of suspected bandits has not only increased cases of kidnapping in the last two months, but has also increased security tensions in the state.

The Governor stated that, in light of this development, as well as his administration’s ongoing efforts, it has become necessary to convene the meeting in order to renew strategies to address the challenges.

“We believe it is critical to call this meeting in light of some of the security challenges we are beginning to face.” “As a government, we decided to be proactive and call for this meeting so that we could share ideas,” he said.

While shedding more light on why the state government decided to order school closures, Sule emphasized that the decision came as a result of an earlier meeting with some security chiefs in response to the high level of suspected terrorist movements into the state.

The Governor praised the state’s security agencies, as well as traditional rulers, for their ongoing contributions to addressing security challenges.

The state commissioner of police, Adesina Soyemi, the chairman of the Lafia Local Government Area, Hon Aminu Muazu Maifata, the Etsu Karu, HRH Pharmacist Luka Panya Baba, and the Chun Mada, HRH Samson Gamu Yare briefed journalists on the outcome of the emergency security meeting shortly after the meeting.

CP Soyemi stated that the meeting was called to assess the recent increase in kidnapping cases across the state, and that the council decided at the meeting to increase security agency patrol and raids so that all bandits operating in the state are brought to justice.

He added that the council also urged all Nasarawa State residents to collaborate with security agencies to ensure that suspected bandits do not take over the state and cause mayhem.

The police commissioner also stated that the council resolved that any suspicious gatherings be immediately reported to security agencies or traditional rulers in their respective areas.

Hon Aminu Muazu Maifata, Chairman, Lafia Local Government Area, stated that the council reiterated the importance of local government council chairmen continuing to cooperate, collaborate, and work in harmony with traditional institutions and security agents in general, in order to sustain the state’s level of peaceful coexistence and good level of security.

Hon Maifata, who also serves as Chairman of the Association of Local Government Chairmen (ALGON), reaffirmed the councils’ commitment to continue working in this direction so that the security challenges can be met head on.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional rulers, HRH Pharmacist Luka Panya Baba, the Etsu Karu, said the council reviewed the critical role played by traditional leaders in the state in ensuring adequate security.

“We have discussed and traditional leaders have pledged to use all available arsenals in our various localities, using our local vigilante groups, traditional hunters, to see how we can gather useful information for onward transmission to the various security agencies so that appropriate action will be taken,” said Etsu Karu.

He emphasized the council’s decision to collaborate and synergize with traditional institutions in order to raise awareness among various communities, encourage people to be more security conscious, and report any suspicious movement to appropriate authorities.

While praising the efforts of security agencies, the royal father announced that the Governor has stated his intention to distribute operational vehicles to security agencies in the state next week in order to strengthen the fight against crime and criminality.

“This is a commendable effort, and it is expected of us as good citizens to join hands and cooperate with security agencies by disclosing intelligence information to assist in combating the menace that has bedeviled this nation,” he said.

Terrorists from Kaduna, Niger, Zamfara, Kebi, and other states are now in Nasarawa, according to Gov. Sule.