The Nasarawa State Police Command has rebuked former
Minister of Information, Labaran Maku's allegations that kidnappers and bandits
were on the prowl in the state.
Maku was recently quoted in some sections of the
media alleging that kidnappers and bandits have taken over his home state of
Nasarawa.
The erstwhile minister, who is also a chieftain of
the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), was also said to have added that
kidnappers of villagers and peasants collect as low as N50, 000 for ransom in
his state.
But the state Police Commissioner, Bola Longe,
rebuked Maku over his allegations, saying Nasarawa State is the safest in the
North Central geo-political zone of the country.
The police commissioner's counter-statement was
contained in a statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer,
ASP Nansel Raman, and made available to journalists on Sunday in Lafia.
According to the statement, "Crime such as kidnapping,
robbery and banditry have been decisively confronted by the security agencies
in the state and completely quelled.
"The police command wishes to note that while
it is not its tradition to join issues with people, it however found it most
expedient and justifiable in this instance to debunk this assertion as
accentuated by the former information minister, because it is not in tandem
with the security situation in the state."
However, the statement stated further appealed to
all and sundry “to exercise restraints and be more circumspect before making
comments on issues that border on general safety and security of the people as
any impulsive statement that is farcical, misleading and bereft of any modicum
of truth is capable of sending false alarm and upset members of the public and
investors.”
The statement concluded by reemphasising with sense
of diligence and responsibility that kidnappers and bandits were not on the
prowl in Nasarawa State as the state was peaceful, safe and secure for all law-abiding
citizens.
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