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  • Arewa Think Tank backs Sule’s position on tax reform bills

    Arewa Think Tank backs Sule’s position on tax reform bills

    A Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT), has thrown its weight behind the latest position of Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule on President Bola Tinubu’s tax reform bills before the National Assembly.

    In a statement by its Convener, Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu,  ATT described governor Sule’s shift of position against the bill as a good development.

    “We have discovered that the forces against Tinubu tax reform bills are not only fighting Tinubu, the fight is about liberating the North from the shackles hold of few elites, so it is additional reason for us to support governor Sule’s position which originally is our position too.

    “The North must make progress in this 21st century, the North can no longer stay behind. So the few elites that don’t want us to make progress, the majority must be victorious in this regard,” The statement reads. 

    The statement added: “We agreed completely with the views expressed by the Nasarawa State governor, Abdullahi Sule on a National Television programme, that the initial opposition from the northern state governors against the tax reform was propelled by a lack of adequate clarity and understanding of some of the contents of the bills.

    “ATT received this as a welcome development especially as it came in the wake of continuous stakeholder engagement by the chairman of the Presidential Committee on Fiscal Policy and Tax Reform, Mr. Taiwo Oyedele

    “We therefore commend Governor Abdullahi Sule, who is also the chairman of the North Central Governors Forum, for his remarkable show of maturity, understanding and statesmanship in shifting ground from his earlier stance against the bills, by openly expressing support for their passage.

    “We want to use this opportunity to call on all his colleagues in the Northern Governors Forum to join him in encouraging the National Assembly to pass all of the four tax reform bills without further delay.

    “For us at Arewa Think Tank, we have insisted that the tax bills were designed by President Tinubu to usher in a progressive national tax system, that will meet the economic and political aspirations of Nigerians in the emerging global economy.

    “To this end, we want to salute the courage displayed by the President for encouraging the true spirit of democracy and freedom of expression among Nigerians in the heat of discussions around the tax reform amid the emerging argument for and against the bills.

    “Also, we want to appreciate the continuous efforts, sacrifices and commitment exhibited by both the Chairman of the Presidential Committee and the Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Zach Adedeji in their drive to enlighten Nigerians on the objectives of the Tinubu tax reform.

    “We want to restate once more  that there is no aspect of the tax reform bills that is prejudicial to the economic interest of Northern Nigeria or any part of the country as argued by some mischief makers.

    Read Also: Arewa Think Tank blames politicians for Niger military leader’s allegations against Nigeria

    “We know that the bills, amongst others, seek to exempt the teeming population of masses from the payment of tax until they can attain a significant level of economic productivity.

    “We also know that when passed into law, the reform bills will leverage all sub-national governments in the country with the capacity to create more jobs and wealth.

    “Arewa Think Tank has been calling and will continue to call on political and traditional leaders in the North to support the passage of the tax reform bills to counter the political mischief that has misled the people of the region against the Tinubu administration.

    “We have said without number that North in particular will become more innovative from the implementation of the tax reform and as such the region should not waste time in accepting the reality of the reform, especially now that many governors of the region are now supporting the reform bills on tax”.

  • Northern governors not opposed to Tinubu’s tax reforms – Sule

    Northern governors not opposed to Tinubu’s tax reforms – Sule

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has dismissed claims that Northern governors are fighting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his tax reform initiatives. 

    Governor Sule made this assertion on Thursday while receiving members of a coalition of Christian denominations under the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Government House during a thank-you visit. 

    Addressing the allegations, Governor Sule emphasised that some individuals are misinterpreting the Northern governors’ call for broader consultations on the tax bills currently before the National Assembly, particularly regarding Value Added Tax (VAT), as opposition to the President. 

    He criticised those who previously opposed Tinubu’s election but are now portraying themselves as his strongest supporters, suggesting that such individuals are creating unnecessary narratives. 

    Governor Sule affirmed that Northern governors, including himself, fully appreciate President Tinubu’s efforts to make governance more effective and beneficial, stating that these reforms have eased their responsibilities as leaders. 

    “I am happy that you are following up on the tax reforms because you called for more sensitisation. That is all we ask for. That is all the grammar that you hear back and forth. It is not that any governor has anything personal against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We love our President. 

    “It is because of the President that today, for all the projects we are executing, I am not borrowing one naira. All the work that you see going on, I did not borrow one naira. I cannot, therefore, turn around and fight the President, who has helped me to look good,” he said. 

    Governor Sule, however, insisted that there are hidden issues regarding the tax bills that need clarification for better understanding. 

    “Just as I have never been a teacher, I have never been a legislator. Because of that, we called for the withdrawal of the bills to reconsider them. They said it’s the wrong language. You can make amendments to the bills without necessarily withdrawing them. I said that is what I am looking for. I am not looking for any trouble,” he stated. 

    On the subject of VAT, the Governor expressed confidence that he knows a great deal more than most of those arguing in favour of the tax reforms, considering his background in the organised private sector. 

    “The aspect of VAT I understand more than most of them. I didn’t even know how VAT was being utilised. I only knew how VAT was generated. As the CEO of some of the companies, we collected by invoicing customers at the time VAT was five percent, collecting it from the customers and remitting it to the Federal Internal Revenue Service. 

    “That was my work. Who was using it, and how it was distributed, I didn’t even know until I became a Governor. That was when I knew that we could collect VAT, and it would help the state towards capital projects. 

    “When I talk about VAT, I talk with authority because I know what it is. I know how it is generated. I know how much it is. Today, it’s VAT that is making every state shine. Because the amount of VAT at 7.5 percent is what is making every state comfortable. 

    “Nasarawa State, since they started this, we have not received less than N4bn from VAT alone monthly. We are rightly apprehensive about all these projects we have, and now they are saying they will remove VAT from FAAC, I had to raise my hand because I have sworn by the Quran to defend the people. I can’t keep quiet,” he stated. 

    He described as unfortunate the attempts by some vested interests to twist the issues by saying that Northern governors are fighting President Tinubu. 

    “For some people making noise and saying that the Northern governors are fighting the President, nobody is fighting the President. How could you fight a President who has made you look good? This is the truth. All we are saying is that in some aspects, we need to look into it. 

    Read Also: Governor Sule inaugurates committee to probe teachers’ recruitment irregularities

    “But you know, in this country, there are a lot of people looking for jobs. So they want to show the President they love him more than us. And we are the ones who fought some of those people for the President to get elected. We fought them, and they fought us back until he was elected. Today, they are on the other side. They are saying they love him more than we do. It’s only in Nigeria that you will see this kind of thing,” he added. Governor Sule insisted that they are not fighting the President but simply want him not to make decisions that could negatively impact their chances for another term in office. 

    “They now are saying they are the ones protecting him. We are saying, Mr. President, don’t do this because it may affect us in the next election if you do something that is not conducive to certain parts of the country or certain states. It may be injurious to us. 

    “We are the ones who truly love the President for saying what we are saying. Not someone because they are looking for jobs to come and tell you that the Northern governors want to fight the President. Fight him how? If APC does not win and Nasarawa State is APC, we are in trouble. No matter what happens, we prefer APC to win as long as we are also APC,” he stated.

  • 80% of illegally recruited teachers in Nasarawa can’t write acceptance letters – Sule

    80% of illegally recruited teachers in Nasarawa can’t write acceptance letters – Sule

    Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule, stated that about 80 percent of the illegally recruited secondary school teachers in Nasarawa State cannot write an acceptance letter.

    He vowed that his administration would not absorb those illegally employed by the Teachers’ Service Commission (TSC), which he recently suspended, and ordered a thorough investigation into the illegal recruitment.

    Governor Sule made this known yesterday when he hosted a coalition of denominations under the aegis of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) on a thank-you visit at the Government House.

    In response to the request by the Nasarawa State Chairman of CAN, the Very Reverend Dr. Sunday Emma, for his administration to absorb all those illegally employed by the TSC, the Governor stated that this would not be possible because most of them lack the requisite qualifications to teach.

    “You are asking me to absorb them. Reverend, look at it two ways. I am not saying that I want to cause some people problems.  I was told some of these people who paid money are not even qualified to teach. I was told some of them have given as much as 700, 600 thousand naira. These are people who would be paid less than 100, 000.

    “I was told 80 percent of them could not even write acceptance letters. If you are the Governor Sir, and you are being told all these. If we are helping them, we are not helping our educational system. That means we can completely forget about our desire to reform the educational system,” he stated.

    He explained that on coming into office in 2019, he commissioned some educationists to carry out a baseline survey of schools across the state after which they reported on the deplorable condition of the educational sector of the state.

    “They came back and said they needed buildings, we have done that, they needed curriculum we have done that, amongst others. They also said we needed teachers. They said let us start with 1000 teachers. So we approved the employment of 1000 teachers,” he said.

    He added that he gave approval for the TSC to recruit only 1000 teachers but they went ahead to employ more than 1000 additional teachers.

    “They brought to me among the 1000, 50 slots because they know there are a lot of people that would approach me to ask for slots. I said no, don’t give me any fifty. Go ahead and employ all of them based on merit. I don’t even have a single slot. The reason is that our educational system in the state is grossly decayed and we need to bring it up. If we don’t have qualified teachers if we employ teachers based on this-one-knows-this-one, we may not have the kind of good teachers that we are looking for,” he said.

    Governor Sule decried the fact that most of those employed by the TSC even refused to be posted out to the hinterlands but instead chose to remain in urban centres, to the detriment of the population in the rural areas.

    “You cannot bring people who cannot teach, who will refuse to go to the villages where we need teachers, choosing to remain in the cities. They have to remain in Lafia, Akwanga, Keffi, Karu. Some of them don’t even want to go to Toto to talk less of Gudi. These are the problems we are facing. 

    Read Also: Governor Sule inaugurates committee to probe teachers’ recruitment irregularities

    “I don’t want you to feel that you have pleaded with me, and I have refused to help. In reality, I don’t have any problem helping whomever, but I don’t want to bastardize our education system,” he said.

    While awaiting the outcome of the committee set up to investigate the matter, he said the best option out of the predicament is for his administration to organize another interview session for all those employed, including the 1000 teachers already approved, to give everyone the opportunity and to be able to select the best amongst them.

    “Let our selection of competent teachers come from there so that they can be given equal opportunity. This time around, we will not allow these types of people to engage them.  We cannot get it right if we fail to do the right thing. My dream is to get it right in Nasarawa State.  That is the dream of my colleague. But we can’t get it right except if we are honest to ourselves,” he stated.

  • Sule sacks Nasarawa Commissioners, SSG

    Sule sacks Nasarawa Commissioners, SSG

    Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule has dissolved all commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government . 

    He asked them to hand over all government properties to their respective permanent secretaries. 

    The Governor also directed the SSG, Aliyu Ubandona to hand over to the Permanent Secretary, political in his office. 

    Sule announced in a meeting with members of the Executive Council shortly after the departure of Vice President Kassim Shettima, who was in the State on a one-day working visit. 

    Read Also: Sule, Fintiri, Oyebanji Abiodun sign 2025 Appropriation Bills into law

    The Governor thanked members of the cabinet for their various contributions to the development of the state. 

    He said the decision became necessary to give other qualified persons the opportunity to also serve the government. 

    He explained that a new cabinet will be put in place immediately so that the government can settle down to implement the 2025 budget he signed into law a few days ago. 

  • Sule: Governors not against Tinubu’s tax reforms but…

    Sule: Governors not against Tinubu’s tax reforms but…

    Nasarawa Governor Abdullahi Sule has commended the tax reforms by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu but insisted Northern Governors are only against the removal of Value Added Tax (VAT) from the Federation allocation.

    Sule stated this while formally launching an innovative tax digital codes initiated by the Nasarawa State Board of Internal Revenue Services (NSBIRS) at the Government House.

    While commending the President for doing everything possible to reform the economy, particularly the tax reforms, the Governor re-echoed the position of his Northern colleagues as well as that of the National Economic Council (NEC) by calling for a review of the tax reform.

    “Let me make it categorically clear, we are not against the tax reforms.  There are so many good things about the tax reforms that Mr. President is putting forward. We just selected an item out of the tax reforms. It is the VAT that we are talking about, which would be taken out of the FAAC. 

    “That is why we are calling for a review of that position. The moment you take VAT out of FAAC, you are taking 60 percent of that to go to derivation. Other people are introducing consumption. 

    “For people like us, who once as a managing director of some of the biggest companies, I was the one paying VAT. I was the one paying taxes, and I knew how it was paid. I know where some of these goods are consumed. If you now turn around and say, it’s now at the point of consumption, then I can even educate somebody for a whole day about consumption.  Because people don’t even understand the issue of consumption.  

    “A typical example I can give you from two industries that I have worked as CEO. As MD of African Petroleum, I had a customer from Maiduguri who would order 200 trucks and he would pay me for 200 trucks.  If you say you are going to go by consumption, you are going to charge the VAT of the 200 trucks to Maiduguri. 

    “But in reality, at the point of distribution, he would now tell me to bring only 10 trucks to Maiduguri.  The rest of that, he is going to start distributing them from Ilorin all the way to Sokoto. This will make it difficult for you to understand consumption. 

    “If you say it is at the point of derivation, then all the corporate headquarters that collected for the 200 trucks are in Lagos. Which means I pay in Lagos. Whichever way you pick, you are going into default,” he stated.

    Read Also: Sule: Raising accountability, transparency bar through LG autonomy

    He insisted on a review of that segment of the tax reforms before attempting to pass it into law, as anything short of that would put the entire Northern region at a disadvantage.

    Sule commended the Executive Chairman of the state’s internal revenue board, Alhaji Ahmed Yakubu Mohammed, his team and consultants for introducing a digital innovation, the USSD tax code to facilitate revenue collection from the informal sector of the economy. 

    He pointed out that the informal sector is one of the most difficult areas to generate revenue.  

  • Why Abacha created Nasarawa state in 1996 – Sule

    Why Abacha created Nasarawa state in 1996 – Sule

    Nasarawa state governor, Abdullahi Sule, explained that the late head of state, Gen Sani Abacha, created the state on October 1st, 1996 due to the need to expand the development scope.

    The governor made this statement on Monday, October 7, in Lafia during the public presentation of a book entitled “Revealing Nasarawa at 28.”

    He further explained that the decision was not made by accident.

    According to him, the resilience and tenacity of the founding fathers resulted in the creation of the state, emphasising that development in the last 28 years was significant.

    He urged the people to appreciate the development put forward by their leaders, insisting that the collective efforts of stakeholders are key to aggressive growth and progress to meet the yearning of the populace.

    He expressed commitment to boosting the socio-economic strength of the state, identifying his administration’s policy direction in agriculture, minerals development, education, and infrastructure revolution.

    He thanked the Federal Government for recognising his government’s efforts, particularly in agriculture, appreciating the authors for adding value to knowledge and literature.

    The Emir of Lafia, Justice Sidi Bage l retired, lauded former Nigerian Head of State, Late Gen. Sani Abacha for making the creation of Nasarawa State a reality, appreciating Governor Abdullahi Sule for consolidating the strides made thus far by his predecessors.

    The first-class monarch said the authors of the book, Zainab Sule and Ahmed Ahmed Ahmed, took an innovative approach to rewriting the state’s history, adding that such would enrich and preserve the heritage of the solid minerals state.

    In a welcome address, the Chairman of the Launching Committee, Lt. Col. Ahmed Bello, underscored the importance of revealing the untold history of the 28-year-old Nasarawa State and revelling the progress, unity, and cultural heritage that has bound the state together.

    Read Also: UNGA 2024: Sule woos investors, assured of safety in Nasarawa

    He described the moment as a historic experience, maintaining that the publication would further enrich the state’s history for development and successive generations.

    The Book Reviewer, Prof. Shehu Abdul Rahman, said the eight-chapter book emphasized gratitude to God for His favours in the integration and development experienced in the state, harping on the sustenance of cultural diversity for development, leadership integrity, and rich natural resources.

    Prof. Abdul Rahman, who is Vice Chancellor of the Federal University of Lafia, tasked readers and researchers to see the publication as a reference material, stressing the need for data generation and usage.

    In their goodwill messages, the chairman of the occasion and former governor of the state, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu, Deputy President of the Nigerian Senate, Sen. Jibrin Barau, Chairman of Gerawa Group of Companies, Isa Gerawa, challenged Nasarawa citizens on the growth of the younger generation to nurture them with history and developments of their state

  • UNGA 2024: Sule woos investors, assured of safety in Nasarawa

    UNGA 2024: Sule woos investors, assured of safety in Nasarawa

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has assured investors at the recently concluded United Nation’s General Assembly, UNGA of an enabling environment and safety of their investments in the state.

    Governor Sule in a statement released yesterday in Lafia, signed by his Chief press secretary, Ibrahim Addra said many high profile investors and businesses are keen on visiting Nasarawa state to firm up discussions ahead of investing in the areas of agriculture, mining, eduction, housing development, oil & gas and healthcare 

    The statement read: “Engr. Sule departed Abuja for the US on September 15th on the invitation of the Woodrow Wilson Institute in Washington DC as well as the UN SDG in New York.

    “Ahead of his return trip, Governor Sule who participated in various meetings at the 79th edition of the United Nations’ General Assembly, UNGA attended a Private Dinner hosted by the Global African, a group of Investors with interests in Climate, Technology and Energy.

    “This private event afforded the Governor the opportunity to discuss key actionable steps on specific projects including development of climate friendly projects in Nasarawa State.

    “Governor Sule whose business drive took him to Houston, Texas spoke with investors with the hope of attracting attention to the Ebenyi oil well in Obi and other areas in the state. 

    “This is in addition to several engagements toward consolidating on the recent successes recorded in the mining sector and processing of lithium and other minerals in the state. 

    “While in New York Governor Sule  attended a meeting with Nigeria’s Minister of Solid Minerals Development alongside his counterparts from Malawi and Uganda where they commended the mining developments and policy initiatives in Nasarawa State.” 

    The Managing Director/CEO of Nasarawa Investment Development Agency, NASIDA who is in the US with the Governor reports that “interest in doing business in Nasarawa State has grown astronomically with the businesses showing great interest in coming to Nasarawa while expressing confidence in the business reforms under Governor Sule’s watch”.

  • Sule fumes as gunmen kill Fadama III project coordinator in Nasarawa

    Sule fumes as gunmen kill Fadama III project coordinator in Nasarawa

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has expressed shock at the brutal killing of Hassan Yahaya Egwa, the State Coordinator, Fadama III project.

    The governor stated this yesterday during a condolence visit to the residence of the deceased in Lafia, adding that the late Hassan was a brilliant and committed young man who gave his best to uplift the lives of the people through the NG-cares programme.

    Governor Sule added that Egwa’s dedication, selfless service to the state and his pleasant disposition will be missed.

    Read Also: Violators of airport rules will face justice, FAAN vows

    The governor has since directed security agencies in the state to carry diligent investigations to pursue, fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and bring them to book.

    Stating that “Criminality does not have a place in our society,” Sule urged all to shun crime while reiterating government’s resolve to prioritise security and welfare of the people.

  • Governors not opposed to new minimum wage, says Gov Sule

    Governors not opposed to new minimum wage, says Gov Sule

    Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, has debunked claims that state governors are not cooperating with the federal government on the issue of a new minimum wage for workers.

    He clarified that governors are not opposed to the new minimum wage for workers.

    There have been concerns in some quarters over the ability of many states to agree to and be able to pay the new minimum wage to be proposed by the Tripartite Committee on Minimum Wage.

    The concerns turned to a worry a few days ago when reports emerged that some governors became unsettled with the decision of the Edo state governor, Godwin Obaseki, to raise the minimum wage in his state to ₦70,000.

    However, speaking to journalists at the State House on Wednesday, after a meeting with Vice President Kashim Shettima in his office, Governor Sule, who further explained that his comment on the matter was his personal view, also said he spoke about the security situation in Nasarawa state.

    The governor who said he was unaware of any state where the government was unable to pay the old minimum wage rate, stated that Nasarawa has been paying the N30,000 minimum wage since 2019 and has also implemented promotions, gratuities, and other benefits for workers.

    While he explained that governors have not disagreed on matters around plans to review workers’ pay, he explained that a committee established by the federal government is working on the minimum wage, and governors are waiting for the outcome.

    “We’re concerned about the welfare of the workers. In fact, we’re paying some special allowances called hazard allowance, even to our medical workers, as I’m talking to you right now. So I don’t think governors have any problem with the payment of minimum wage. I don’t speak for the governors. Our chairman, the Governor of Kwara, actually speaks for the governors and he will do that at the right time to you.

    “But it is incorrect, actually, to say that governors are not interested or are not cooperating. What the governors keep saying is that there is a committee established by the federal government to work on the minimum wage.

    “We are waiting for the outcome of that committee and that committee is not just looking at the federal government, it’s looking at the state government and organized private sector. So by the time they provide, we don’t want to jump the gun and that’s why we continue to do that.

    “You may find one or two states make certain statements, which is okay and perfectly in line. Minimum is minimum, when they say minimum wage, it doesn’t mean that somebody cannot be higher than that, dependent on your own cash flow and dependent on your own position. So, I think that’s the position”, Sule said.

    Speaking on the security of the state, Governor Sule assured that the state is safe for investment and agriculture, contrary to concerns about security, citing the example of a lithium factory built by foreign investors, which took several years to complete and is now operational.

    Asserting a claim that Nasarawa is the safest state in the country for agriculture and other activities, he attributed the success to improved security in the area, thanks to the construction of major roads and the establishment of a military super-camp.

    To support his claim, Governor Sule highlighted the state’s achievements in agriculture, including being number one in sesame farming, number two in yam and cassava production, and number five in rice production nationwide. He encouraged skeptics to verify these facts for themselves.

    “But now coming back to the issue of security that you have mentioned, it took us a while to be able to stabilize the area. First and foremost, they had a very bad road leading to the areas where some of the bandits, kidnappers, and so on were settling down.

    “We now constructed a major road in the area and the federal government also constructed the major road that comes all the way from Benue into Nasarawa state, which most of the transporters from the eastern part of the country are actually using at the moment.

    “We also established what you call military super-camp in the area so there is presence of the military in the area. So all those kidnappers, bandits, and others have all left, we don’t have any as far as that area is concerned.

    “Nasarawa State is always considered as one of the safest states to do agriculture and other things. Now, coming back to the agriculture that you have mentioned, for the past two to three years, Nasarawa State has been leading in so many areas of agriculture.

    “Today, I’m happy to tell you that we are number one in sesame farming in the whole federation, nobody does more than that. We’re number two a yam production throughout the country. We are number two in cassava throughout the country and we are number five in rice production.

    “So if people are not going to farms, we’ll not be achieving these kinds of numbers. These are the realities on the ground, these are things that you can go and find out on your own. So as far as we are concerned, we’re not saying that there are no kidnappings in Nasarawa, from time to time you’ll find it here and there, but in Nasarawa State there is also oil drilling going on, with the oil drilling I don’t think any of you has ever heard anything about kidnapping and things like that taking place”, he said.

    Read Also: Sule, Oshiomhole to Labour: let your demand be realistic

    Speaking about his reason for visiting the Vice President, Sule disclosed that he had met Shettima to discuss the upcoming commissioning of a lithium factory cited in the state on Friday, expressing optimism that President Bola Tinubu would be present at the event.

    “I came to see him for two major issues: we’ve been doing a lot in the area of agriculture, which he has taken upon himself to ensure that things are going well, so he’s been monitoring that on his own. So from time to time we visit and discuss the areas of agriculture, which are of great importance to him.

    “I came also to discuss the commissioning of the lithium factory that we’re having on Friday. As you know this Friday we’re going to commission a 4000 metric tons per day lithium processing factory, which he has always been interested in knowing the outcome of what is happening.

    “So we came to discuss that and part of the preparations. In fact, we’re hoping Mr President himself will be coming to commission that factory”, he said.

  • Gov Sule raises concern over increase cases of kidnapping

    Gov Sule raises concern over increase cases of kidnapping

    Gov. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, has expressed concern over recent increase in cases of kidnapping in the state.

    Sule stated this during an emergency security council meeting on Monday in Lafia.

    The governor said that the emergency  meeting was to assess the security situation with the view to proffering solution to kidnapping and other emerging threats.

    “The essence of the meeting is to look at the security situation that we have seen, especially during my absence to Saudi Arabia for lesser hajj.

    “It’s indeed a point of worry that we continue to see an increase in the number of kidnapping especially in Keffi, Doma, Lafia, Awe, Obi, Keana, Karu and Nasarawa Local Government Areas of the state.

    “We have also seen an increase in the activities of militia terrorising innocent people, especially in areas surrounding Shegye, Katakpa, and some other villages in Toto Local Government Area.

    Read Also: How Sule ended killings in Nasarawa, by traditional ruler, ex-Nasarawa Speaker

    “We have also seen some increase in the dispute especially between communities similar to the one we have seen in Udege area where a person was killed as a result of misunderstanding within the same ethnic group,” he stated.

    Sule pointed out that the state government would not tolerate any single ethic group vigilante in the state.

    He appreciated his Deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, for effectively serving as acting governor while he was away to Saudi Arabia on Lesser Hajj,

    Sule particularly thanked security agencies for working hard to mitigate security challenges that would have degenerated beyond the current situation.

    (NAN)