Boko Haram Operatives Taking Over Forests In Plateau, Warns House Of Reps

Boko Haram Operatives Taking Over Forests In Plateau, Warns House Of Reps

Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives and chairman of the Committee on Navy, has raised concerns about the movement of Boko Haram members into forests in Plateau State. Speaking on Wednesday during a motion of urgent public importance on the floor of the House, Gagdi highlighted the increasing presence of terrorists in the region.

“Kanam’s forest has now become a haven for bandits and Boko Haram terrorists due to influxes from other states affected by banditry and Boko Haram activities,” Gagdi stated. He emphasized that the presence of these terrorists is exacerbating the security challenges in Plateau State.

Gagdi cited the recent murder of APC publicity secretary Sylvanus Namang in Pankshin LGA as evidence of the worsening security situation. Additionally, he mentioned the discovery of the lifeless body of former Plateau State House of Assembly member Hon. Sunday Muchen in Bokkos Forest.

In response to the threat, the House has called on the Chief of Defence Staff to establish two military bases in Kanam, specifically in Gun-Gagdi and Garga. They have also urged the Inspector-General of Police and the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to deploy additional personnel to the affected areas of Gun-Gagdi, Garga, Pankshin, and Kanke. Furthermore, the Director of the Department of State Security has been urged to conduct a security operation to flush out bandits and Boko Haram members from the region.

The motion was adopted unanimously by the House.