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As insecurity continues to dominate national conversations, the Nasarawa State Government says it is adopting a preventive rather than reactive approach to security, with emphasis on intelligence gathering, forest surveillance, community engagement and stronger coordination among security agencies.
In this exclusive interview with Sunday Sun, the Secretary to the Government of Nasarawa State and covering Commissioner for the Ministry of Security and Sundry Affairs, Dr Labaran Magaji, SAN, explains how the state is working to keep terrorists, bandits and kidnappers from establishing operational bases in the state.
According to the government, Nasarawa may not have experienced attacks on the scale recorded in some other parts of the country, but that relative peace is not being taken for granted.
Q: Nasarawa has remained relatively peaceful compared with some states currently battling terrorism, banditry and kidnapping. What is the government doing to ensure criminals do not establish a foothold here?
A: We are not taking the situation for granted. The fact that Nasarawa State has not experienced any major terrorist, banditry or kidnapping attack comparable to what has been recorded in some other parts of the country does not mean that the government is relaxing.
Our approach is proactive. We are strengthening intelligence gathering and sharing, working closely with security agencies, engaging traditional rulers and community leaders, conducting surveillance in vulnerable areas and supporting military and police operations.
We are also paying particular attention to forests, border communities and other locations that could potentially be exploited by criminal elements. Our objective is to prevent criminals from establishing a foothold in Nasarawa in the first place.
Q: What specific support is the state government providing to the security agencies operating in Nasarawa?
A: The state government is supporting the Nigerian Army, the Police, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and other lawful security agencies with logistics and operational assistance.
Beyond that, we are strengthening intelligence sharing among security agencies, traditional institutions, local leaders and communities. We are also supporting patrols and surveillance in forests, border communities and other vulnerable locations.
Security is a collective responsibility. Government alone cannot do it. The cooperation of citizens and communities is extremely important, particularly in providing timely information about suspicious persons, movements and activities.
Q: There is growing attention on the restructured Operation Whirl Stroke. What difference will the new arrangement make in Nasarawa?
A: The restructured Operation Whirl Stroke now has a dedicated Nasarawa State sector and sub-sector commanders responsible for designated local government areas.
This is important because it is designed to improve coverage across the state. It will support regular patrols, raids and rapid response to emerging security threats.
The idea is to ensure that no part of the state is left without adequate security attention. With designated commanders responsible for particular areas, there can be better coordination, intelligence flow and response to threats.
Q: Forests have increasingly become a major security concern across the country. What is Nasarawa doing about its forests?
A: That is one of the reasons the Forest Guards initiative is important. The programme is a Federal-State security initiative designed to prevent terrorists, bandits, kidnappers and other criminals from using forests and hard-to-reach areas as hideouts.
The Nasarawa State Government, in collaboration with the State Security Service and other relevant authorities, is currently involved in identifying and recruiting suitable personnel for the state.
The process will involve proper screening, background checks, training and coordination with existing security agencies.
Q: Who exactly are these Forest Guards and what will be their responsibilities?
A: The Forest Guards are not being created to replace the Police, Army, DSS, NSCDC or other statutory security organisations. They are intended to complement them.
Upon completion of recruitment, screening and training, they will be strategically deployed to forest reserves, rural communities, border areas, access routes and other locations identified through security and intelligence assessments.
Their responsibilities will include regular patrols and surveillance of forested areas, reporting suspicious movements and criminal activities, providing local intelligence based on their knowledge of the terrain and communities, and supporting efforts against kidnapping, banditry, terrorism, illegal mining, logging and other criminal activities.
They may also assist in search-and-rescue operations when directed by competent security authorities.
Q: Will the Forest Guards be armed and operate independently?
A: No. The Forest Guards will not operate as independent or unauthorised armed groups.
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Their activities will be regulated, supervised and coordinated within the approved national security framework. There will be emphasis on discipline, respect for human rights, lawful use of force and the protection of civilians.
They will operate within an established command structure and cooperate with the Police, military, DSS, NSCDC and other relevant security agencies.
The objective is to provide first responders, community protection and intelligence support in forest environments, not to create another independent security force.
Q: Who will finance the Forest Guards? There have been concerns about who will pay their salaries and allowances.
A: The Forest Guards recruited under this initiative are to be paid by the Federal Government.
The responsibility of the Nasarawa State Government is to collaborate in the recruitment process, facilitate local coordination, support screening and training arrangements where required, and provide relevant information and logistical cooperation.
The Federal Government has indicated that salaries and allowances for certified guards will commence upon deployment under the approved programme. So, their salaries should not be confused with the separate support the Nasarawa State Government provides to security agencies operating in the state.
Q: There have been reports of fake Forest Guard recruitment portals. What is your advice to interested applicants?
A: People should be extremely careful. Interested persons should rely only on official announcements.
False online recruitment portals and fraudulent requests for payment have been reported in connection with the national Forest Guard initiative.
Nobody should allow themselves to be deceived by individuals or platforms demanding money in exchange for recruitment. People should wait for and follow information released through official channels.
Q: How important is the role of traditional rulers and local communities in the state’s security strategy?
A: Their role is very important because security cannot be achieved by government and security agencies alone.
Traditional rulers, community leaders and residents are closest to their communities and often have information that can help security agencies identify suspicious movements or persons.
That is why the government is strengthening intelligence sharing among security agencies, traditional rulers, local leaders and communities. We are also encouraging residents to promptly report suspicious persons, movements and activities.
At the same time, citizens must not take the law into their own hands. Any serious offence must be properly investigated and prosecuted according to the law.
Q: What is the government doing to stop criminals from crossing into Nasarawa from neighbouring states?
A: We are cooperating with neighbouring states to prevent criminals from crossing into or escaping through Nasarawa State.
This is particularly important because criminals do not recognise state boundaries. Security agencies therefore have to work across those boundaries, share intelligence and coordinate operations.
Our forest surveillance, border monitoring and cooperation with neighbouring states are all part of the broader preventive strategy.
Q: Finally, what assurance can you give residents of Nasarawa who are concerned about the growing insecurity in parts of the country?
A: The assurance is that the government remains fully committed to protecting lives and property and preserving the peace enjoyed across Nasarawa State.
The administration of Governor Abdullahi A. Sule will continue to support all lawful efforts aimed at safeguarding the state. The government will provide logistics, intelligence and institutional support to security formations operating in Nasarawa.
We must remain vigilant and proactive. Our objective is to ensure that terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of criminality do not gain a foothold in Nasarawa State.
The peace we enjoy is the product of responsible security coordination, visionary leadership and the peaceful disposition of our people. We will continue to work to preserve it.
