Inlux of fleeing bandits: Governor Sule convenes expanded security meeting.

By Abdullahi Shuaibu, Lafia.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa state has again convened another expanded security meeting with a view to tackling the influx into the state persons suspected to be fleeing bandits escaping from the military onslaughts in part of North West. The meeting which had in attendance all first class traditional rulers,heads of security agencies in the state,vigilante and hunters groups as well as fulani leaders held on Friday at government house Lafia.Speaking at the meeting, Governor Abdullahi Sule said the meeting became necessary following feelers that, movements of suspected retreating bandits have been sighted around Gitata,Loko,Udege, Umaisha,Nunku and Wamba. The Governor noted that, already,governors of identified seven States, including Nasarawa state have met to discuss intelligence reports about the influx of bandits escaping from areas presently under military crackdown in Zamfara, Kaduna,Niger,and some parts of the Northwest with a view to profering solutions to the inherited security threats. He said with the intelligence reports showing suspected movements of the fleeing bandits in parts of the state, Engineer Sule summoned the expanded meeting to further deliberate on the issue and to arrive at concrete steps to tackle the menace. “We decided to call this expanded meeting because we have already noticed some movements into some locations in our state”. The governor pointed out that,based on security reports, his administrations certain decisions and actions should be taken. He equally expressed concern on other security challenges particularly in Ado, Karu local government Area, urging for caution so as to maintain the existing peace in the state. Governor Sule further stated that, based on the relative peace being enjoyed in the state, Nasarawa state is presently witnessing increased patronage as the state continued to host various bodies and organisation who takes advantage of the prevailing peace to conduct business in Lafia, the state capital The Governor used the opportunity of the meeting to show appreciation to president Muhammadu Buhari as well as the Federal Executive Council ( FEC) for approving over #30 bn for the completion of Maraba/ Loko road. He equally used the opportunity to thank stakeholders at the meeting for their collective resolve to put the issues of security in the front burner. The governor specifically thanked traditional rulers in the state, for their role in supporting security agencies operating in the state. He also appreciated various groups for supporting his administration in the area of security especially hunters and vigilante groups. The meeting is coming on the heels of a previous emergency security meeting, where issues concerning the impacts of the on- going military operations on areas inhabited by bandits in the North West were discussed Governor Sule emphasised that, there is every need to sustain the peace in the state, especially that Nasarawa state is now being considered peaceful. ” As a result of these that are coming to us,we have to do everything possible in order to maintain the peace.”