Nasarawa State Governor Abdullahi Sule has raised serious security concerns over the emergence of a new terrorist group known as Wulowulo, reportedly a splinter faction of Boko Haram, in the North Central region of Nigeria.
The governor made this revelation during an expanded security council meeting held at the Government House in Lafia, warning that the group’s activities pose a potential threat to peace and stability in the area.
Speaking at the meeting, Governor Sule explained that intelligence reports had confirmed the presence of the Wulowulo faction in parts of the North Central, particularly Kwara State. He urged security agencies to intensify surveillance to prevent the group’s infiltration into Nasarawa State. “As you are aware, this new group of Wulowulo, which is a splinter group of Boko Haram, is beginning to surface in the North Central zone. We need to ensure that we take steps not to allow it to come into our state,” he said.
The governor also condemned the recent communal clash in Nindama village of Kokona Local Government Area, where seven people were reportedly killed over a land dispute. He directed the state’s Commissioner of Police and the Department of State Services (DSS) to launch a full investigation into the killings. “Even if it is one person killed, we are very worried. We need to get to the root of the matter and prevent such incidents from happening again,” Sule added.
Governor Sule expressed concern that criminals from other regions were gradually moving into the North Central zone, making it necessary for security agencies to adopt a more proactive approach. He cited the example of the Lakurawa group, which he said had spread from the North West to Kwara State. “The Lakurawa group is now a big problem in Kwara. Originally, they were in Kebbi and Sokoto, but now they have become prominent in Kwara. We should be concerned that it does not extend to Nasarawa State,” he cautioned.
The governor further decried the increasing cases of kidnapping in parts of the state, especially in Lafia and Karu Local Government Areas. He called for a review of the strategies being used to tackle the menace. “Kidnapping has remained constant, especially in Lafia. That is why I believe strongly that whatever we have done in the past may not be enough. We need to find another formula around it,” he said.
Governor Sule commended the Nigeria Police Force for deploying 120 new officers to the state and praised the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for its efforts against drug cartels. He urged security agencies not to succumb to pressure from influential individuals seeking the release of suspects, warning that such interference could weaken the fight against crime. He also thanked traditional rulers and local government chairmen for their continuous support in maintaining peace across the state.