The self-styled Apostle of second civilian Governor of Benue State, Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu and lecturer, Fr. Adasu University Makurdi, Dr. Sabastine Agbinda has named Nasarawa State as the forward operating base of terrorists operating in North- Central Nigeria.
Dr. Agbinda disclosed this in his submission at the 20th Anniversary celebration and Security Roundtable convened by University of Mkar Mkar (UMM). He was one of the panelists at the summit.
According to Dr. Agbinda, Nasarawa State appears to be calm because terrorists operating in North Central Nigeria have found a safe haven in the state, attack Plateau, Benue and Taraba States and receed there for shelter. Indeed, parts of Benue adjoining Nasarawa State are deserted but farming and other activities go on at the Nasarawa end of Nasarawa-Benue border.
Dr. Agbinda explained that until there is collaboration between North-Central States and locals rise up to defend themselves, the attacks in north central Nigeria will persist with the ultimate aim to takeover the people’s land.
His position collaborates the position of His Royal Highness (HRH) Dr. Daniel Abomtse, Ter Tyoshin, Gwer West Area Trafitional Council that Nasarawa State provides safe haven for terrorists to attack Benue State. HRH Abomtse specifically refered to Nasarawa State as “axis of evil.” Gwer West borders the state and has experienced unprovoked killings from terrorists who come in, attack and disappear.
On Monday, 16th June, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, speaking at Yelwata said Nasarawa State was critical to the operations of security agencies in Benue State.
“We have always had information that sometimes some of these people come across borders. Wherever it is they are coming from we are going to go after them,” General Musa said at Yelwata.
He went on to say that “We must take the battle to them, not waiting for them to attack.”
The incumbent Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule has named the cargo airport in the state as Usman Danfodio Airport, raising eyebrows.
Usman Danfodio is seen in Benue State as the man who attempted to force Islam on the people.
Gideon Uungwa, a public affairs analyst, in a reaction to the news of the airport said: “Nassarawa State governor A.A Sule has named the newly constructed airport in the state after leader of the Fulani Jihadists Movement in Nigeria, Usman DanFodio confirming that, Nassarawa state is indeed home of our killers.”
The UMM security roundtable panelists identified natural resources, poor leadership and conquest agenda as reasons behind insecurity in Benue State and North Central Nigeria.
Moderated by His Lordship Isaac Dugu, Bishop of Katsina-Ala Catholic Diocese, the panelists including Prof. Magdaline Dura, Dr. Sabastine Agbinda, Prof. Aloysius Ihua, and Redzie Jugo Esq, took turns to interrogate the theme of the security roundtable: Insecurity in North-Central Nigeria: Beyond Grass and Water.
Vice-Chancellor, UMM, Prof. Zacharys Anger Gundu, who made the lead presentation on behalf of First Up Consultants, described the Nigerian security crisis as “more than communal disputes” and “a multi-billion dollar industry” that is intricately tied to illicit exploitation of natural and cultural resources.
His presentation alluded to a growing nexus between foreign actors and local collaborators, including some traditional rulers, state officials, and businessmen, in a calculated attempt to takeover land and livelihood in North-Central Nigeria by the “Fulani of the world.”
“There are perpetrators who are not Nigerians… they are invited in by local Fulani elements under the guise of shared ethnicity,” Prof. Gundu said.
