Governors from the country’s North Central states have agreed to establish a joint security operation in the zone in response to rising insecurity.
The joint security operation would target border areas of all the affected states and places designated as red zones.
Abdullahi Sule, chairman of the North Central Governors’ Forum and Governor of Nasarawa State, disclosed the proposed security arrangement during the State Security Council meeting.
The North Central states are made up of Kwara, Kogi, Niger, Benue, Plateau and Nasarawa.
LEADERSHIP recalls that there has been rising tension as a result of escalating violent attacks in Benue, Plateau, Niger, and recently Kwara State.
Governor Sule explained that the joint decision to tackle the menace was taken following a series of meetings of the Progressive Governors’ Forum and Northern Governors’ Forum, with the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, in attendance.
He noted that the rising security challenges were extensively discussed at the various meetings.
“We made joint efforts 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 we should 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 hideouts, assuring that his administration and North Central governors are 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 appropriately investigated and prosecuted.
He also appreciated the contribution of traditional rulers, community leaders, and youths who collaborated with security agencies in the ongoing effort to reduce violent crime and criminality.
