Abdullahi Sule, the governor of Nasarawa State, has raised concerns about people he has seen moving who he believes to be bandits escaping from the states of Kaduna, Zamfara, Niger, and Zamfara.
This came after the state’s schools were ordered closed due to security concerns a few days prior.
The governor claimed that a significant number of the evading bandits had been seen in the state’s Wamba and Toto local government areas as well as Rugan Juli and Rugan Madaki in the Karu Local Government, which borders the Federal Capital Territory.
Sule said the meeting was called to take proactive measures in light of the security situation across the nation, particularly in the FCT, where over 800 inmates recently escaped from the Kuje correctional centre. The meeting was held in Government House, Lafia.
The governor said the decision to shut down schools, except for those writing their final NECO examination, was taken in the interest of all.
He said arrangements had been made to beef up security at venues where students were still sitting for examinations.
The governor appreciated the security agencies operating in the state and traditional rulers for their continued roles in addressing security challenges.
Addressing journalists immediately after the security meeting, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Adesina Soyemi, said the council decided that security operatives should increase patrols and raid hideouts of criminals.
Meanwhile, the Chairman of Lafia Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, Aminu Muazu Maifata, has announced restriction on the movements of commercial motorcycles from 8pm to 6am in the state capital.
He also said commercial tricycles known as Keke NAPEP would not operate from 10pm to 6am.
He said the decisions were taken after an emergency security council meeting and would take immediate effect.