Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has convened an expanded security council meeting, aimed at addressing issues bordering on banditry, as well as providing adequate security in public schools, especially girls’ schools.
The expanded security meeting held at the Government House, on Monday, with the state Deputy Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, members of the state executive council, heads of security agencies and representatives of traditional rulers led by the Emir of Lafia, HRH Justice Sidi Bage (rtd).
Declaring the meeting open, Engineer Sule said emerging security situations within the country and Nasarawa State in particular, necessitated that the state security council meet, to deliberate and proffer solutions to identified security threats.
The Governor specifically identified the regrouping of bandits, earlier dislodged from Toto Local Government Area, who are now regrouping in parts of the state, as well as the recent invasion of schools by bandits who kidnap mostly female students.
Engineer Sule expressed concern that the bandits, mostly members of the banned Darassulam sect which has paid allegiance to the Boko Haram, are presently regrouping in places like Bakono, Kabusu, Panda, Bahashabiyar, Ambaka and Gidanrai, all in Nasarawa, Karu and Wamba local government areas.
Similarly, the Governor disclosed that, in the aftermath of recent incidences in the South West, especially in Ondo and Oyo States, where the Hausa/Fulani community was attacked, Nasarawa State is witnessing the influx of unknown herdsmen in Wamba, Karu, Doma and Awe local government areas.
On the recent kidnapping of mostly school girls by bandits in some states, Engineer Sule warned that Nasarawa State must not be caught off guard, especially from what governors learnt after students were kidnapped in Niger State.
According to the Governor, there was a need to take proactive measures towards protecting public schools in the state.
To this end, Engineer Sule disclosed that the Federal Government drafted a number of special mobile forces to the state, with his administration dispatching a unit each to Gitata, Mararaban Udege, Okuba in Bakono/Tunga/Loko area, Gudi/Maroa and Ambaka in Farin Ruwa development area.
In addition to that, the Governor said military surveillance teams have been engaged especially in Wamba and Garaku to secure the girls’ schools there, as well as in Udege, Panda, Gitata, Wuse/Akiri/Tunga and Toto/Umasha/Gadabuke, because of the activities of bandits.
“We decided to send some surveillance in those areas, in addition to the air police surveillance with the helicopter,” he stated.
Engineer Sule pointed out that officials of the Ministry of Education, Nasarawa State Universal Basic Education Board (NSUBEB) and traditional rulers, were part of the meeting, with a view to ensuring that public schools are protected.
The Governor used the opportunity of the meeting to express appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari, as well as the military and police, especially the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, for always coming to the aid of the state.
