As part of ongoing efforts to end insecurity in the country, President Bola Tinubu on Monday met with the governors of Sokoto, Kebbi, Kogi and Edo states at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The meeting, which was still ongoing at the time of filing this report, was also attended by Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa of Ondo State and Umar Namadi of Jigawa State.
The governors of Kebbi, Nasir Idris; Kogi, Usman Ododo; and Edo, Monday Okpebholo, had earlier arrived and headed straight to the venue of the meeting.
BusinessDay gathered that the President summoned the governors over the growing rate of bandit attacks.
Sokoto and Kebbi, which had over the years enjoyed relative peace, have suddenly become epicentres of renewed onslaughts against innocent citizens by daredevil bandits.
The Edo State governor, in an effort to rid the state of bandits and kidnappers, recently empowered some local security operatives to comb the forests.
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BusinessDay checks also show that areas bordering Edo and Ondo—especially the Ore and Ajebandele axis, as well as the Uzebba–Ikare and Ifon–Owo roads—are no longer safe for commuters who travel regularly between both states.
The President, while declaring the recent security emergency, had assured that he would support the states to strengthen community-based security operatives.
BusinessDay also gathered that the meeting is part of the President’s efforts to ensure that banditry is not allowed to fester or develop strongholds in the states.
