FIC Report (Nasarawa State) – Nasarawa State Governor Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule had expressed readiness to approve the sum of Two Hundred Million Naira (N200m) required for the establishment of a Military Super-Camp in Panda Development Area in Karu Local Government area of Nasarawa State without further delay.
The Governor disclosed this Monday 13th January, 2025 while addressing the people of Tatara-Kwandoro electoral ward shortly after the Saturday 11th sad incident of violent incursion by unknown gunmen which claimed several lives and left others severely injured.
The Governor assured the people of Panda Development Area of his administration’s commitment to give approval for immediate establishment of a Military Super-Camp in Panda to coordinate security surveillance across the catchment villages.
“We have already started working long ago to ensure that we have a Super-Camp right here in Panda. When Ambassador Timothy Kasuwa was actually there, he worked very hard to ensure we have about four (4) Super-Camps in the state. We have already finished the other ones, that is why I called him to ask him before I came here; where is the file for Panda Super-Camp and he said the file is there and is just requiring less than N200m Naira ” When I go home today, I will make sure I approve that Two Hundred Million (N200m) so that we can go ahead to establish another Military Super-Camp in Panda because; there is no amount of money that is too much when it comes to the lives of our people.” The Governor said.
Engineer Sule harped on the need for the people of the state to see how expedient it is to continuously live in peace with one another in order to foster rapid development through investment opportunities which only the peaceful disposition of every part of the state can guarantee.
“Our aim in this state is to live in peace with everybody, anybody. We know the Constitution of Nigeria has given people the right to live where they wish but we in Nasarawa State also have our wish that whoever want to live in Nasarawa State must live in peace with one another …
“And anybody that does not want to live in peace has no place in Nasarawa State. Because, as far as we are concerned. Nasarawa State is on the rise and Nasarawa State is seeing potentials for development. Nasarawa State is developing gradually.” He noted.
He stressed that his administration had been attending to some of the emerging security challenges one at a time considering areas with high hostilities and violent incursions.
“And we cannot afford to live with people who do not want to live in peace living in Nasarawa state. So that is the reason why we are doing everything possible to ensure that we bring peace and unity to our people. So, I sincerely condole with all of you who had lost your loved ones here in Tatara both in the former crisis and the one that just happened two days ago.” The Governor stated.
He commended the efforts of security agencies that swiftly left whatever they were doing to ensure that frail nerves were calmed and normalcy returned in Tatara community and all those severely injured were taken to hospital.
The Governor equally assured the people of Tatara community that government is responsible for their welfare, responsible for their security and as a responsible government, they will continue to support the people of the area in whatever way possible to bring absolute peace, not because of the crisis they are having now but because Tatara is border town.
On his part, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police Shettima Jauro Muhammed assured the people of Tatara-Kwandoro electoral ward that the police would do everything possible to bring to book all those involved in the mayhem no matter how highly placed they are.
“Unfortunately, we have discovered seven bodies now that were killed and I am assuring you as the Police Commissioner in the state, we will make sure that all those who had committed this heinous crime are being fished out and dealt with. We are not going to spare anybody ” Shettima asserted.
Earlier, the Executive Chairman of Karu Local Government area Hon. Abubakar IliyaMadaki appreciated Engineer Abdullahi A. Sule for coming to see them personally and equally applauded the efforts of Tatara youths who responded immediately and were able to capture seven motorcycles which the unknown gunmen that attacked Tatara came with.
The Chairman stressed that he had been assured by the Commissioner of Police that they will use the motorcycles captured to get those involved in the crime. He stressed that those injured were taken to Federal Medical Center and were eventually referred to National Hospital Abuja for treatment.
On his part, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Assembly Matters David Mayaki narrated his ordeal on how Tatara community was greeted with violent incursion from unknown gunmen on Saturday 11th January, 2025 and how they fled for their lives before later regrouping to confront the assailants who in turn fled after killing people randomly as they kept shooting sporadically.
He appealed to his people to remain calm as the security agencies conduct their investigation on the attack. Mayaki equally appealed on behalf of his community for government to set up security outpost in Tatara to forestall future invasion.
His Royal Highness Odyong Nyankpa Joel Aninge thanked the Governor for swiftly and decisively giving the security agencies the needed support to come to their aid during their distress call for help.
The royal father said that, the attack was uncalled for as the Yeskwa (Yankpa) people are peace loving in nature and accommodating with no history of violent incursion to any tribe living with and around them in past.
He called on government to conduct thorough investigation on the people involved as this is the second time in recent months that his people in Tatara were being attacked for no just course.
Signed
SOLOMON MUNDUNG
AEO (Information)
Edited By
Ari, Liman Aminu.
HEAD OF CENTRE,
FIC, LAFIA.
