Bauchi Governor Appeals For Tinubu’s Help Against Bandits

Bauchi State Governor Bala Mohammed has raised alarm over worsening insecurity in parts of the state, and has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to act as bandits have taken over several communities and ungoverned areas, particularly in Alkaleri local government area of the state.

Speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja yesterday, Mohammed said the activities of bandits had escalated to the point where security agencies were struggling to contain them, forcing residents to flee their homes.

“I came here on behalf of the people and government of Bauchi State to see His Excellency, Mr President, pertaining to the situation of insecurity in my local government, Alkaleri, where some bandits have become so emboldened and they have taken over so many ungoverned spaces there,” the governor said.

He said the bandits were operating from forested areas around the Daji Dam axis and had engaged security forces in sporadic clashes.

“We have been having some sporadic clashes and skirmishes with them, with the security agencies, but it would appear that the security agencies and all of us are overwhelmed and the situation is escalating to a level where it will become a big humanitarian crisis,” he said.

Mohammed noted that fear of attacks had forced many residents to abandon their homes and relocate to other local government areas and neighbouring states.

“Because out of fear and paranoia, most of the inhabitants are running to other states and other local governments at this time of fasting,” he added.

He said he had earlier visited the affected communities alongside heads of security agencies in the state to assess the situation before reporting directly to the President and seeking urgent federal intervention.

The governor said President Tinubu responded positively and had already issued directives to security agencies to address similar security threats in affected regions.

“Very positive. He has already given directives and they are doing a lot of activities in Kwara, Niger, something akin to what we have, some ungoverned spaces, forests, banditry and what have you,” Mohammed said.

He added that governors of neighbouring states, including Taraba, Plateau and Gombe, were considering a joint security summit with federal security agencies to tackle the threat collectively.

“We are trying to seek opportunity for the governors that are contiguous to that forest — Taraba, Plateau, Gombe and myself — to have some summit with the aid of the security agencies to address the situation once and for all,” he said.

Mohammed warned that the security situation posed a serious threat to Bauchi State’s peace and economic development, especially at a time when the state was attracting investments in oil, gas and mining.

“Bauchi has enjoyed a lot of peace for the last 10 years and this is coming at a time when there is a lot of interest in our investment and economic activities, so we cannot afford that bad development,” he said.

The governor also reiterated his support for the establishment of state police, describing it as necessary to strengthen security at the grassroots.

“We are very ready and we have always supported state police because it will reduce the burden on the federal government and make us more responsive and responsible as state governors, although it is expensive,” he said.

On the political implications of his visit, Mohammed dismissed speculations that his meeting with the President was related to possible defection from the Peoples Democratic Party.

“I am a PDP man. I know the federal government and the importance of partnership. This is time for governance. I am not coming here for defection. I am coming here for governance and partnership,” he said.

He noted that political decisions remained personal and could not be generalised, adding that his focus remained on serving his state.

“Any governor can leave if it is his decision, but it may not be my decision. I am coming here to a father of the nation to give us support and he has answered positively and that settles it,” he added.

Mohammed also dismissed suggestions that he felt politically isolated, insisting that the PDP remained strong despite its challenges.

“This is an unfolding situation. PDP is still there. PDP is a party that is everywhere, in every ward, in every corner of the country. It has a brand that has survived over the past two decades,” he said.

He added that electoral success depended largely on grassroots support rather than national political alignments.

“I am not feeling lonely because I know my state, and my intention is to make sure I stay back, because elections are won from the polling units, elections are won locally and not nationally,”

Even APC will have to watch their end because they are becoming big like the PDP. PDP became big and it exploded and I am not feeling lonely because I know my state, at least and my intention is to make sure I stay back, because elections are won from the polling units, elections are won locally and not nationally, the governor said.