From Jude Owuamanam, Jos
Emir of Wase, Alhaji Mohammadu Sambo Haruna, has accused those he described as insiders fuelling the killings in Plateau State.
He said that the insiders give information to the bandits on where to strike as well as the movement of security agencies.
Speaking when the General Officer Commanding, 3 Armoured Division and Commander of Operations Safe Haven, Maj. Gen. Funsho Oyinlola, paid him a visit in his palace in Wase as part of his tour of duty to Sector 2 of Operations Safe Haven on Friday, the emir said that rather than being concerned about the bandits, the real people to worry about are those living in community that supply vital information to the invaders.
He said: “I am here as the Emir and it’s only when I open my doors to you that you’ll come in. But I stand to be corrected because I’m not a security personnel. But you see, those of us who are at home aiding this criminality are more dangerous than the people actually carrying out this criminality in the bush.
“So we should be worried about those people who are living amongst us, who guide them. Your sector commander is here doing a wonderful job, but before he leaves his sector, once he has called his men to go out, these criminals are already aware that he’s about to leave, but they may not know the destination that he’s heading to.
“Because those around are the ones feeding (the bandits with) information; so basically, his life and that of his men are in serious danger.
“We should care about where these criminals get their arms and ammunition; who cares about who gives him ammunition; who takes care of it; who disposes it for them?”
The emir also expressed worry over the difficult terrain, which has made it extremely difficult for security agencies to confront the bandits, particularly during the rainy seasons when the terrain is inaccessible with a Hilux vehicle, and sometimes with motor bikes depending on whether it rains.
In his remarks, Oyinlola stated that the purpose of his visit was to seek the support of the traditional institution in the fight against banditry and other forms of crime within Sector 2 Area of Responsibility.
He further commended the traditional institution for its support and synergy with OPSH. The commander assured the emir of troops’ readiness to continually sustain the tempo of operations in the protection of lives and property within their area of responsibility.
Also speaking, the chairman of Wase Local Government Area, Alhaji Hamisu Anani, commended the GOC and his men for the relative calm the locality had enjoyed for some time now.
He said that he had been having regular meetings with border local government areas in Taraba and Bauchi states, adding that their cooperation had ensured relative peace in the area.