GOV SULE INAUGURATES SECURITY ADVISORY COUNCIL IN NASARAWA

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By:Tajudeen Aminat

Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has inaugurated a Security Advisory Council to strengthen intelligence gathering, coordination and preventive measures in tackling insecurity across the state.

Sule inaugurated the council at the Government House on Monday, describing the security challenges facing Nasarawa as increasingly complex and requiring a coordinated, intelligence-driven approach beyond the deployment of personnel and equipment.

The governor said sustainable security would require justice, dialogue, responsible leadership, economic opportunities, community participation and mutual trust between the government and citizens.

He explained that the council would combine enforcement with prevention, intelligence gathering and development while working closely with existing security agencies.

Sule said the spread of criminal activities across communities and the state’s borders was partly linked to gaps in information gathering and forest management.

He urged the council to strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations and women’s groups, noting that these groups possessed valuable knowledge about developments within their communities.

The governor said continuous engagement with traditional institutions would help strengthen early warning systems, improve information sharing and facilitate the peaceful resolution of disputes before they escalated into security challenges.

He clarified that the council was not created to duplicate or undermine the responsibilities of existing security agencies but to complement their efforts through strategic coordination, analysis and policy advice.

Sule said the state would continue to collaborate with the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Armed Forces, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The council’s terms of reference include advising the government on the state’s security situation, strengthening intelligence-led operations, examining community policing frameworks and improving engagement between government and grassroots communities.

The governor urged members of the council to carry out their responsibilities with seriousness, impartiality and confidentiality, assuring them of the government’s continued investment in preventive security measures.

The council is chaired by retired Major General Elias Abba, a former force commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force in N’Djamena, Chad. Other members include retired senior officers from the military, police and customs services.

Permanent Secretary, Security and Sundry Matters, Iliya Sunday, serves as the council’s secretary.

Speaking at the inauguration, the Secretary to the Nasarawa State Government, Labaran Magaji, SAN, said the council demonstrated Sule’s commitment to ensuring peace and development in the state.

Magaji said the members were selected based on their experience, integrity and knowledge of security issues affecting Nasarawa.

Responding on behalf of the council, Abba pledged to provide comprehensive security advice, including measures to address poverty, unemployment and social dislocation identified as drivers of crime.

He also assured the state government of the council’s support in ensuring that political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections are conducted within the law.

“Political ambition must never outweigh the sanctity of human life or the stability of our communities,” Abba said.