Insecurity: Nasarawa Volunteer Guards Seek Approval To Secure public Schools

Nathaniel Gbaoron, Lafia

Amid rising security concerns in Nasarawa State, the community volunteer guards, has called on Governor Abdullahi Sule to give it the mandate to secure public schools.

The Commandant General of the guards, Mr. Sabiu Idris made the appeal in a chat with newsme in Lafia, the state capital.

The Nigerian Vigilante Corps in the state, had  transformed to volunteer guards following the inability of the federal government to accord them recognition.

Idris said the body has the manpower to provide security across all public schools in the state.

MoneyCentral reports that Governor Sule had to shut down all public schools in the state, following attack on Kuje Correctional Center and release of terrorists and other criminal elements in it’s custody.

The governor also raised alarm over influx of terrorists from neighbouring states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

He had said security reports indicated that bandits fleeing from Niger, Zamfara, Kebbi and Kaduna states, were identified in Rugan Juli and Rugan Madaki both in Karu Local Government Area, as well as in Wamba and Toto local government areas of the state.

Idris said his officers and men arrested more than 100 kidnappers and other criminal elements and handed same to the police within the last two years.

He said what the guards required from the state government are logistics and monthly stipends for officers and men of the command to enable them carryout their function effectively.

He appealed to state government to impress on the local government chairmen to also assist officers and men of the guards in their area through monthly stipends to ease their operations.

He commended Governor Sule for donating a vehicle for their operation, while urging him to assist in refurbishing their only official vehicle which has been since grounded.

While commending the Toto local government chairman for his support to the guards, the commandant pledged to always defend the state from criminal elements.