Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku has lamented that fleeing Boko Haram insurgents were taking refuge in the Bali forest area of the state, posing security threat to residents.
He spoke when Commander of the 23 Brigade of the Army, Yolanda, Gen. Bello Abdullahi Mohammed, visited him.
Ishaku said crime had increased in all local governments bordering Bali forest following the presence of the insurgents.
He also alerted to the increasing rate of insecurity at Gashaka Gumpti National Park, which threatens tourism.
According to him, criminals have infiltrated the park, thereby making it unsafe for tourists. He called for security intervention to flush out the criminals.
Ishaku lauded the military for its role in helping to restore peace to communities affected by crises, saying they always responded anytime they are called, even at night and under poor weather conditions.
“This has to be so because the scope of the crises, sometimes, is beyond the police. The situation now is such that herdsmen carry sophisticated weapons instead of sticks, which they were known for, and they often overwhelm security agents sent to confront them,” he said.
Gen. Mohammed assured Ishaku of the Army’s preparedness to assist the state in the pursuit of its peace agenda.
“Our men are always ready and willing to respond any time they are called to help restore peace. I will, however, consult with the governor in handling security matters always,” he added.
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