Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Saturday, raised the alarm that bandits have been relocating in large numbers in has some local government areas of the state.
Governor Sule had last Wednesday ordered that all schools across the 13 LGAs of the state be shut down due to security threats in the Federal Capital Territory.
But Sule, who spoke during an emergency Security Council meeting at the Government House, Lafia, on Saturday, explained that the essence of the meeting was to take proactive measures against the backdrop of the security situation in the country and particularly within the FCT, where over 800 inmates recently escaped from the Kuje correctional facility.
The governor 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.
He 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.
Governor Sule 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.”
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 police commissioner added.