Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has dismissed allegations suggesting that bandits are being harbored in the state, clarifying that while some criminal elements pass through Nasarawa due to its geographical location, they are not welcomed or entertained.
Speaking during a live phone interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Governor Sule addressed a controversial statement credited to Professor Zacharys Anger Gundu, Vice Chancellor of the University of Mkar, describing it as “provocative” and capable of escalating tensions rather than solving security issues.
“What happened is that when we saw the information from Professor Gundu, we saw how provocative it was,” Governor Sule said. “Instead of resolving issues, it will end up creating more problems. So we sent a letter to him to withdraw that kind of statement because a statement coming from a learned person like him will not help anybody.”
The governor revealed that he reached out to Professor Gundu’s state governor and was informed that the professor intends to apologise. “From my understanding, he is trying to come to me to apologise for what he said,” he added.
He explained that Nasarawa’s location naturally makes it a transit point for individuals coming from the north, much like Ogun State serves as a gateway to Lagos. However, he strongly refuted claims that the state was providing shelter or support to criminal groups.
“Yes, it’s just like saying somebody attacked Lagos through Ogun. Where else will the person come through? Ogun is the only state that borders Lagos,” he said. “So it’s similar to this. Some of these people coming from the north end up coming through Nasarawa, but we don’t entertain them.”
He emphasized that the bandits also target communities in Nasarawa, where residents have been victims of kidnappings and attacks. “They kidnap our people, and we go after them,” the governor stated.
Governor Sule recounted a major security operation carried out in 2019 shortly after he assumed office, which involved the discovery of a bandit camp in a local government area. He credited former President Muhammadu Buhari for approving a coordinated security operation—by air, land, and sea—that led to the dislodgement of the criminals.
The governor reaffirmed Nasarawa’s commitment to security cooperation with neighboring Benue State, noting that despite political differences, information-sharing has continued between him and both the current and former Benue governors.
The comments come amid rising concerns about insecurity in Nigeria’s North-Central region, with cross-border banditry and farmer-herder tensions dominating headlines.
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