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From Abel Leonard, Lafia
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has inaugurated the State Security Advisory Council, charging members to go beyond conventional policing by addressing poverty, unemployment and other social factors driving insecurity across the state.
Sule, who inaugurated the council at the Government House, Lafia, on Monday, said the security challenges confronting the state had become increasingly complex and required a coordinated and intelligence-driven approach.
The governor said sustainable security could not be achieved through the deployment of security personnel and equipment alone, stressing the need to address the underlying social and economic conditions that fuel criminal activities.
“Sustainable security requires justice, dialogue, responsible leadership, economic opportunity, community participation, and mutual trust between the citizens and the government,” he said.
Sule said the council would combine enforcement with prevention, intelligence gathering and development, while working closely with existing security agencies.
He noted that the proliferation of criminal activities across communities and the state’s borders was also linked to gaps in information gathering and forest management.
The governor, therefore, charged the council to work closely with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations and women’s groups, whom he described as important sources of information on developments within their communities.
“Through sustained dialogue and engagement with traditional institutions, we can strengthen early warning mechanisms to improve information flow and promote peaceful resolution of disputes before they escalate into security challenges,” he said.
Sule clarified that the council was not established to duplicate or diminish the responsibilities of existing security agencies, but to complement their efforts through strategic coordination, analysis and policy advice.
He assured that the state government would continue to work closely with the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
According to him, the council’s terms of reference include advising the government on the day-to-day security situation in the state, strengthening intelligence-driven security operations, examining frameworks for community policing and bridging the gap between government and grassroots communities through continuous dialogue with traditional and community leaders.
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The governor commended the members for accepting to serve and urged them to approach the assignment with seriousness, impartiality and confidentiality.
He also assured that the government would continue to invest in preventive security measures and address the underlying drivers of insecurity across the state.
The council is chaired by Major General Elias Abba (rtd), former Force Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force in N’Djamena, Chad.
Other members include AVM B.D. Solomon (rtd), DIG Mohammed Ali Ari Doma (rtd), Brigadier General Japo Abashi Ebu (rtd), Wing Commander Umar Ibrahim Mohammed Awe (rtd), Wing Commander Mukhtar Usman (rtd), CP Isa Usman Baba (rtd) and CSC Adamu Tanko Umar (rtd).
Pharmacist Iliya Sunday, Permanent Secretary, Security and Sundry Matters, serves as Secretary of the council.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary to the State Government, Barrister Labaran Shuaibu Magaji, SAN, described the inauguration as a demonstration of Governor Sule’s resolve to leave no stone unturned in the pursuit of peace and development in the state.
He said the members were selected based on their experience, integrity and understanding of security matters relevant to Nasarawa State.
Responding on behalf of the council, its Chairman, Major General Abba, pledged the body’s commitment to providing holistic security advice, including addressing poverty, unemployment and social dislocation identified as drivers of crime.
Abba also spoke on the council’s role ahead of the 2027 general elections, warning that political ambition must not be allowed to undermine peace and stability.
“Political ambition must never outweigh the sanctity of human life or the stability of our communities,” he said.
He assured that the council would support efforts to ensure that political activities in Nasarawa State were conducted within the ambit of the law and that the 2027 elections were free, fair and peaceful.
