The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has expressed worries over the influx of bandits into some Local Government Areas of the state.
The governor had on Wednesday ordered the closure of all schools across the 13 LGAs of the state due to security threats in the Federal Capital Territory.
Speaking during an emergency security council meeting at the Government House, Lafia, on Saturday, Sule said the essence of the meeting was to take proactive measures considering the security situation in the country and particularly within the FCT, where over 800 inmates recently escaped from the Kuje correctional facility.
He said that the bandits fleeing from Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kaduna states were identified in Rugan Juli and Rugan Madaki both in Karu LGA, as well as in Wamba and Toto LGAs.
The governor confirmed that security reports indicated that, following the influx of these suspected bandits, there had been noticeable increase in cases of kidnapping within the last two months.
He said, “We believe it is very necessary to call this meeting in view of some of the security challenges we are beginning to see. As usual, the government decided to be proactive and in order to be proactive, we have to also joined in calling for this meeting so that we can share ideas.
“The decision to shutdown schools, except those writing their final Senior School examination, was to forestall any eventualities but arrangement has been put in place to beef up security where students are still writing examinations.
“I want to appreciate the security agencies operating in the state, as well as the traditional rulers for their continued roles towards addressing security challenges. And I strongly believe that if we continue to work together, very soon we will win the war against banditry and all forms of criminal activities in the state.”
On his part, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Adesina Soyemi, said following the increase in cases of kidnapping in recent times across the state, the council decided that security agencies should increase their patrol and raids across the 13 LGAs, so that all criminal elements will be brought to book.
“The council urged all good people of Nasarawa State to work together so that the suspected bandits will not take up residence in the state. And any information gathered, should be transmitted to security agencies for necessary action,” the CP added.
