Insecurity: North-Central Govs Mull Joint Operations

Governors of the North-Central states of the country have agreed to put in place a joint security operation in the face of rising insecurity in the zone.

The joint security operation would target borders areas of all the affected states and places designated as red zones.

The proposed security arrangement was disclosed by the Chairman of the North-Central Governors’ Forum who is also the Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule during the State Security Council meeting.

LEADERSHIP reports that states in the North-Central include Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa.

There has been rising tension as a result of escalating violent attacks in the zone, particularly in Benue, Plateau, Niger, and recently Kwara States.

Governor Sule explained that the decision to jointly tackle the menace was taken following series of meetings of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Northern Governors’ Forum with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, in attendance.

“We came up with the ideas of some kind of joint efforts where we are going to look at the Wamba, Bokkos axis because it has remained a flash point.

“We are also aware that most of these criminals would run into Nasarawa State, and it is better for us to sit down and be proactive rather than wait until something happens,” he said.

He disclosed that bandits were already using the Sardauna Forest and Farin Tsauni as hideout, assuring that his administration and North-Central governors were monitoring the situation.

The governor lauded security agencies for curbing the spate of kidnapping in Nasarawa-Eggon, Wamba, Lafia, Kokon and Doma local government areas of the state.

He urged them to ensure that arrested suspects are properly investigated and prosecuted.

The governor also appreciated the contribution of traditional rulers, community leaders, and youths for collaborating with the security agencies in the ongoing effort to rid the state of violent crime and criminalities.