The Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, on Tuesday confirmed that fleeing terrorists and bandits being dislodged by series of military incursions in the North West region are infiltrating the State, but assured that he is taking proactive moves against them.
Governor Sule, who spoke at the security meeting on the issue held at the Government House, Lafia, the State capital, however expressed fear that the fleeing bandits and bandits may seek refuge in mostly inaccessible parts of the State reminiscent of the outlawed Darussalam sect.
He therefore said it has become imperative for members of the State Security Council to discuss the security situation across the country and how that affects Nasarawa State.
The Governor stated that there was need for the State to take proactive moves so as to avert any possible presence of these fleeing bandits from taking refuge in Nasarawa State, as well as to protect the people of the State.
He recalled the Daru Salam sect incursion in 2018 when the fleeing sect members, dislodged from Niger State, took up refuge in the dense forest areas of Toto Local Government Area in the State.
He also congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari, and the security agencies for the successes being recorded in the fight against banditry and kidnappings across the nation.
He expressed worry that the successes so far being recorded against bandits in Niger, Zamfara, Kaduna and other states in the North West, may pose a threat to peace in Nasarawa State.
Governor Sule said that it has become necessary, for members of the council, to come together and strategize, to protect the people.
He commended the security agencies operating across the 13 local government areas of the state, particularly the police, DSS and civil defense, for the feat recently recorded, when kidnappers operating along the Akwanga-Jos Road, were apprehended, leading to the rescue of some of their victims.