Nasarawa gov: Residents fight back when bandits attack our communities

Abdullahi Sule, governor of Nasarawa, says residents in the state fight back when bandits raid their communities.

The governor stated this in an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday.

He said communities in the state are alerted anytime there is information on a likely raid by bandits, and residents defend themselves when attacked.

“Everyone has their own approach to security challenges. What we do in Nasarawa is that the moment we see the bandits coming in, we actually alert our people; we let them know. And then, the communities actually rise up to the occasion and they also fight them,” he said.

Sule, who noted that grazing reserves in the north have become a hideout for bandits, said if such areas are put to good use, persons with criminal intentions will have nowhere to hide.

“We’re coming up with plans that will reduce all these crises. Most of these grazing reserves today that are not utilised, especially here in the north, have become hideouts for some of these bandits. By the time we utilise them, we will put some of these bandits under check; they’ll have no place to go to,” he said.

The governor also disclosed that leaders are working round the clock to ensure the eradication of criminals, but catching them after they attack has made it difficult.

“Every time we say something, we try to provide solutions. Just last week, we had a meeting for two days of the northern governors — the northern elders forum was there; the Arewa consultative forum was there; our traditional rulers were there. Everybody was there to give their own solution,” he said.

“So, it is not that the leaders are sleeping. The leaders are up to the task. They are working day and night, but you see, these criminals are hit and run. They are not criminals that confront you. When they carry out an activity, say in Nasarawa, before morning, on motorcycles, they have already passed Niger and are somewhere in Zamfara or Katsina.”

States in the northern part of Nigeria have witnessed an increase in attacks by bandits, leading to killings and abductions.

The most recent was the kidnap of over 300 girls from Government Girls Secondary School, Jangebe, Zamfara state, on February 19.

The girls were confirmed to have secured their freedom in the early hours of Tuesday.