Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has raised the alarm over escalating insecurity in the state, saying that bandits have taken over many ungoverned spaces.
The governor on Friday appealed to President Bola Tinubu for urgent security intervention following renewed bandit attacks in Alkaleri Local Government Area.
He warned that the situation could spiral into a humanitarian crisis if not swiftly contained.
Mohammed made the appeal after an emergency meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, where he briefed him on what he described as the takeover of “ungoverned spaces” in parts of the state by armed groups.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the meeting, the governor said the security situation in Alkaleri had escalated beyond the capacity of existing state security architecture.
“Some bandits have become so emboldened and they have taken over so many ungoverned spaces there, coming out from the Daji Dam area.
“We have been having sporadic clashes and skirmishes with them alongside security agencies, but it appears that all of us are overwhelmed and the situation is escalating to a level where it could become a big humanitarian crisis,” Mohammed said.
He disclosed that residents, gripped by fear, were fleeing to neighbouring states and local governments, particularly during the ongoing Ramadan period.
“Out of fear and paranoia, most of the inhabitants are running to other states and other local governments at this time of fasting.
“That’s why I visited the area with heads of security agencies, assessed the situation, and brought a report to Mr President to seek special presidential intervention,” he said.
The governor, who also chairs the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum, said the President responded positively and had already issued directives to address the deteriorating security situation.
He also revealed plans to convene a security summit involving governors of states bordering the affected forest belts, including Taraba, Plateau and Gombe, with the support of security agencies.
“Very positive the president has already given directives and they are carrying out operations in places like Kwara and Niger where similar issues of ungoverned spaces, forests and banditry exist.
“We are trying to seek an opportunity for governors contiguous to that forest Taraba, Plateau, Gombe and myself to have a summit with the aid of security agencies to address this situation once and for all,” he said.
