Killings, kidnapping amidst special security units in Nasarawa

From Francis Nansak,Lafia

Looking at how strategic and well positioned security institutions are camped in Nasarawa state,which are capable of scaring intending crime by criminals as the case may be,the daily rise of crime and criminalities call for more proactive measures from the security than mere policy statements.

But as the saying goes” The more you look the less you see” crime rate in Nasarawa state inspite of Governor , Engineer Abdullahi Sule’s undulating efforts to nip in the bud security challenges,is being challenged by unprecedented reoccurrences of criminal elements.

In a quick roll call to the available security agencies in the state,starting from Keffi, there is 177 guard battalion,at Akwanga, is the newly established EndeHills cops, in a strategic position , usually known to be the hatchet zone for kidnappers and arm robbers, is now occupied by special police operatives.

And in Lafia the headquarters of Nasarawa state,apart from the existing state security commands of the Nigerian police force,NSCDC,DSS and the para-military,there exist the 4 special forces in Doma and Nigerian Airforce in Lafia.

There are also local security outfits within the state, like the Vigilante group and the NAYES,which should be enough for cooperate operations that can reduce crime and criminality to the barest minimum in the state,but the raise in cases of kidnapping amongst other crime has become the worries of most residence of the state once the night begins to set in.

These large numbers of security operatives in a state like Nasarawa that has a single straight entrant road from Karu through Akwanga, Nasarawa Eggon down to Lafia and into neighbouring Benue state,shouldnt be a burden where cooperate security operations is engaged.

The expected impact of these conglomerates of security presence is far from being felt,as the activities of criminals, especially bandits and kidnappers,appear difficult to be submerged.

Investigation revealed that since the dislodgement of the Daru-salam bandit by the 4 special forces of Doma, ,who were said to have camped in a location at Toto Local Government Area, being the biggest achievement so far recorded this year by the Army in Nasarawa state, kidnapping along that axis has reduced

The Nigerian Army to an appreciable level of countering criminals in the state is one undeniable credit which can not be waved away from the operatives,one of such gullibility recently recorded was the killing of 3 suspects alleged to be linked to the murder of the Nasarawa state APC chairman,as announced by the state governor.

However the unanswered questions in the minds of residence of Nasarawa state is, the levels of commitment to fight crime,if the army were not deployed to the state,is it that government is not finding and equiping them with the necessary logistics? away from adequate manpower,that is a phenomenal issue in Nigeria as a country.

Disturbed by the unabated riase of kidnapping and banditry,stakeholders have also raised the alarm and seeking stiffer and proactive policing strategy.

The recent invasion and gruesome murder of the state APC chairman,speaks volume,hence the need for restrategizing on how best to man operations by the various security’s formations available in Nasarawa state.

Although the kingpin to the dastardly act that led to the death of Mr Philip Shekwo and 9 suspects alleged to have been arrested at Asakyio and loko respectively in connection with the gruesome murder of the APC chairman, residence ,traditional rulers and some stakeholders including the families of the deceased cried out for more investigations into the murder of Mr Philip Shekwo.

Governor Abdullahi Sule,shocked by the way and manner his party chieftain was murdered,summoned an emergency security meeting with heads of security formations in the state,promising to ensure logistics and mobility.

According to the Governor” We will use every resources within our reach as a government towards fighting crime and returning peace to our people,to me that is what I believe good governance is all about,to safeguard the lives and property of citizens” Governor Sule’ re-echoed.

This therefore calls for synergy among the various security agencies in the state,for a combined operation without rancour among the personnels,if total grounding of crime and criminality will remain the focus of the forces.

This year,some government officials of Nasarawa state were kidnapped in their homes,health workers traveling for immunization suffered same fate along Toto road,traditional rulers,some politicians in Obi,Lafia at Gudi in Akwanga local government area,if not released based on payment of ransome, others got killed,like the unfortunate death of Mr Philip Shekwo,which according to the Nasarawa state police boss, Barrister Bola Longe” The intensity of bullet marked on the walls of the house ,is pointing to the fact that it is more than Kidnapping,as I believed it was assassination” He said.

Nasarawa state ,since the assumption into office of Engineer Abdullahi Sule ,as governor,have also recorded relative peace ,unlike the past with skirmishes of Farmers and herders clashes and communal unrest,but the incessant account of banditry , kidnapping,leading to murder has become worrisome,hence the need for a collaboration in operations of the securities,as Government most also pay close attention to their operational needs to fight crime and criminal elements to a standstill in Nasarawa state.