Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has expressed
deep concern over the reported emergence of a splinter faction of Boko Haram —
identified as Wulowulo — operating within the North-Central region.
Governor Sule made the revelation during an expanded
security council meeting held on Monday at the Government House, Lafia, where
he warned that the state must act swiftly to prevent infiltration by the new
group.
“As you are aware, this new group of Wulowulo, which
is a splinter group of Boko Haram, is beginning to surface in the North Central
zone.
We need to take steps to ensure that it does not find its way into our state,”
the governor said.
The meeting was convened in response to rising
security concerns, including violent communal clashes and kidnapping incidents
in parts of the state. Sule condemned a recent land-related conflict in Nindama
village, near Ninkoro in Kokona Local Government Area, where seven people were
killed and one person survived.
He directed the Commissioner of Police and the Director
of the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the incident and
uncover its root causes to prevent recurrence.
“Even if it is one person killed, we are very worried.
We must get to the root of this matter and ensure similar occurrences are
prevented once and for all,” he said.
Governor Sule explained that intelligence reports
indicated that criminal groups from other regions were attempting to infiltrate
the North-Central zone, stressing the need for proactive measures.
“Insecurity in other parts of the country is a big
concern, and some of these elements are trying to spread into our state. The
Lakurawa group, which originated around Kebbi and Sokoto, has now become a big
problem in Kwara. We must not allow such groups to extend to Nasarawa,” he
warned.
The governor also raised alarm over rising cases of
kidnapping in Lafia and Karu Local Government Areas, admitting that existing
strategies have not been sufficient to curb the menace.
“Kidnapping has remained constant, especially in Lafia
and parts of Karu. Whatever we have done in the past may not be enough; we need
a new formula to tackle it,” he said.
While commending the Nigeria Police Force for
deploying 120 additional officers to the state, Sule urged all security
agencies to intensify surveillance and operations to prevent infiltration by
criminal groups.
He also praised the National Drug Law Enforcement
Agency (NDLEA) for its door-to-door crackdown on drug cartels, urging them to
sustain momentum and resist pressure from influential individuals seeking the
release of arrested suspects.
“Security agencies must not yield to pressure from
anyone, no matter how influential. Drug offenders must face the consequences of
their actions,” he emphasized.
Governor Sule further appealed to parents and
guardians to desist from bailing out their wards caught in criminal acts,
saying allowing them to face justice would serve as a deterrent.
He appreciated traditional rulers and local government
chairmen for their continued support in maintaining peace and stability across
Nasarawa State.
“We thank our royal fathers and local government
chairmen for their commitment to peace and for always responding promptly to
our call whenever security issues arise,” Sule added.
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