Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule says that he would not condone any act of lawlessness by an individual or group of persons protesting against the activities of the disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in the state.
The governor revealed that there are plans by some groups of persons moving into the state for the purpose of staging protest, warning that, such persons should stay clear of the state or face the full wrath of the law.
He said, most of those currently embarking on the protest are disgruntle elements and desperate politicians who have cash in the situation, even when president Muhammadu Buhari has agreed to meet the demands of the protesters.
Governor Sule handed down the warning while inaugurating the judicial commission of enquiry into the activities of the F-SARS of the Nigerian Police and other related matters, at the Government House in Lafia.
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The Governor disclosed that available information indicates that some people are being conveyed into the state in buses, with a view to staging protests in Akwanga, Karu, and Keffi, warning such people not to go on with the protest as the government will not fold its arms and allow them to cause problems in the state.
He advised such intending protesters to stay clear of Nasarawa State and to remain in their places of residence to protest.
“If there is going to be any protest, let it be by residents of Nasarawa who understand what is happening in Nasarawa State.
“We will not welcome, and we will not fold our arms as the government will not continue to receive other people who don’t understand the challenges that we are having in Nasarawa State, to come in buses, arrive somewhere in Karu and Keffi and stage protest in false claims because those people don’t understand our problems, they should go to where they are resident and protest,” he stated.
Sule said, inaugurating the commission has become even more imperative after some disgruntled elements and desperate politicians have cashed in on the situation, with the intent of destabilizing the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, at a time when steady progress and development is being recorded in the country.
“As far as we are concerned in Nasarawa State, we have recorded some successes as a result of the activities of SARS and we have identified that and we have also identified some weaknesses of SARS and so we are in line with whatsoever is happening in the country, as long as it is for the peace of the country,” the Governor said.
He equally pointed out that his administration has recognized the rights of people to protest whenever they find the policy of the government is going in the right direction, but that when it comes to SARS, it has been kind to Nasarawa State.
Sule lamented that in spite of the fact that the Federal Government and Police authorities banned the SARS, the protest appears to continue unabated.
He commended members of the commission for their readiness to serve both state and country, and their statesmanship and love for peace, stability, progress, and development of Nasarawa State and the country at large.
He added, they were chosen to carry out a broad base appraisal of the situation based on their pedigrees.
The judicial commission, which was to be chaired by a former Chief Judge of the state, Badamasi Maina, has the following terms reference;
To receive and investigate complaints of police brutality, or related extrajudicial killings, to evaluate evidence and draw conclusions on the validity of complaints and to recommend compensation and other remedial measures to the government, and were given six months within which to submit its report.
The Governor added members of the commission were not selected to say what the government wants to hear but to tell the government the truth.
He restates his appreciation to the Federal Government for the continued support to Nasarawa State, in the area of maintenance of law and order, stressing that the robust relationship has made it possible for the state to benefit from the establishment of the critical security infrastructure.
These include special joint military operation code-named Ayum Patuma, with the operations headquarters in Nasarawa State, to take care of the entire North Central zone, Operation Whirl Stroke, with its headquarters in Makurdi, Benue State and operational bases in Nasarawa, to address farmers/herders conflicts.
Others are the establishment of 123 Task Force Battalion in Doma, the barrack which is fully operational is serving as the headquarters of the Nigerian Army Special Forces Command, the establishment of two military super camps at Mararaban Udege in Nasarawa and Kenyehu in Toto Local Government Areas, among others
