Nasarawa Gov Raises Alarm over Influx of Bandits from Plateau
- Published on July 19, 2023
- By Usman Fatima Tani
Abdullahi Sule
Nasarawa State Governor
The bandits' surge from crisis areas into the Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State has alarmed Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa State.
The expansion of illicit small-arms and ammunition manufacture in the state has sparked concern from the governor.
In order to address certain new security risks in the state, Sule raised the alert at an enlarged security meeting held at the Government House in Lafia, the state capital.
Security chiefs, chosen local government chairmen, and traditional leaders were present.
According to reports, the bandits were discovered in the Lafia East Development Area and in the Wamba Local Government Area's Mangar and Ambaka localities.
According to reports, the security meeting's agenda included discussing the behavior of Fulani herdsmen in regions close to the neighboring state of Benue.
“Recently, there have been movements of herders, especially Fulani herders. This may not pose a big security challenge because they are moving to grazing areas but unfortunately, those areas are also problematic because they are at the border between Keana and Guma Local Government Area in Benue State.
“It will be a recipe for problems down the line and around the Tunga area which is our major concern,” the governor pointed out.
Sule praised the state's security services for conducting operations in the local governments of Akwanga and Kokona that resulted in the capture of Lagudi, a known kidnapper, and several members of his gang.
The governor also praised the police and the 177 Guards Brigade, Keffi, for their efforts in putting a stop to the renowned Yan Shara cult group's operations in Keffi.
But he urged the security services to step up their efforts to stop the Yan Shara from moving to other places.
He urged action to protect the state's historic kings' mansions.
After the discussion, state commissioner of police Mohammed Baba Maiyaki told reporters that security personnel were prepared to stop the Yan Shara cult group's activities.