The Ohimege Opanda of Umaisha in Nasarawa State, Alhaji Usman Abdullahi, has advised the federal and state governments to adopt new strategies to tackle banditry and other forms of insecurity in the country.
Abdullahi, a first class traditional ruler, gave the advice on Sunday, while speaking with newsmen in his palace in Umaisha, Toto Local Government area of the state.
He said that his call had become necessary in view of incessant activities of the bandits, leading to loss of many lives and property in some parts of the country.
“First and foremost, I want to express my appreciation to Gov. Abdullahi Sule for his efforts in tackling insecurity in this area and the state in general.
“He has really shown concern about what is happening here.
You can see that we have military men and mobile police personnel around to help us maintain peace in this area.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is also doing a lot in the area security.
Other security agencies too are not relenting. I am, therefore, making a case for a new strategy.
“I know that governments, both at the state and federal levels, are trying their best, but I want them to do more in tackling banditry and other forms of insecurity; otherwise, people will run away from this area.
“It is in view of this that I want to appeal, not only to the state government but also, to the Federal Government to take very serious actions against these bandits.
“The bandits are mostly occupying the forest between Nasarawa and Kogi states and they are in large numbers.
“There was a time that the military pushed them out, but after the operation, they came back in large numbers and regrouped again,” he said.
Abdullahi also said that the activities of bandits in his domain could be likened to what was happening in Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states, adding that it was having adverse effect on the country’s development.
The traditional ruler appealed to government to take the issue of banditry in his domain with all seriousness.
On the coronavirus pandemic, Abdullahi urged his subjects and Nigerians to continue to adhere strictly to government’s directives and other preventive measures in order to remain safe.
He also enjoined his subjects and the people of the state to continue to support government’s policies and programmes in order to enjoy more dividends of democracy.
