Bandits emboldened, taking over ungoverned spaces – Bauchi gov laments

Bala

Bauchi State Governor, Senator Bala Mohammed, has lamented that bandits operating in some parts of the state are emboldened and have taken over some ungoverned spaces. The governor also said the state government and security agencies appear overwhelmed—a situation likely to create a humanitarian crisis as inhabitants flee their communities to seek shelter elsewhere. Speaking to State House correspondents after a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu following Juma’at prayers at the State House Mosque on Friday, the Bauchi governor said he presented the worsening security situation to the President.

He declared that the state’s security crisis has spiralled into a “big humanitarian crisis,” with residents fleeing en masse amid rampant banditry and fear.

Mohammed painted a dire picture of overwhelmed forces and “ungoverned spaces” in forests bordering Taraba, Gombe, and Plateau states.

On the agenda for the visit, he said: “I came here on behalf of the people and government of Bauchi State to see His Excellency, Mr. President, pertaining to what I know has already been highlighted in the Nigerian media space.

“The situation of insecurity in my local government of Alkaleri in Bauchi State—where some bandits have become so emboldened and have taken over so many ungoverned spaces there, coming out from the Dajin Dam—has led to sporadic clashes and skirmishes with the security agencies.

“But it would appear that the security agencies and all of us are overwhelmed, and the situation is escalating to a level where it will become a big humanitarian crisis.

“Because out of fear and paranoia, most of the inhabitants are running to other states and other local governments at this time of fasting. That’s why I visited there with the heads of security agencies, saw the situation, and brought a report to Mr. President. We sought special presidential intervention, and we know him to be somebody who is very serious about security.” Vanguard