By our reporter| Residents of Nasarawa state fight back when bandits raid their communities, the state governor Abdullahi Suke has said.
Governor Sule who made the disclosure in an interview with Channels Television on Tuesday, said communities in the state are alerted anytime there is information on a likely raid by bandits, and residents defend themselves when attacked.
He also revealed that grazing reserves in the north have become a hideout for bandits, stating that if such areas are put to good use, criminals will have nowhere to hide.
“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,” the governor said.
“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.”
According to him, leaders are working round the clock to ensure the eradication of criminals, however, catching them after they attack has become a herculean task.
“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.”
“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,” governor Sule said.
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