Lawmaker Yusuf Gagdi speaks out on security concerns in Plateau State
The lawmaker representing the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State, Hon. Yusuf Gagdi, has raised fresh concerns over the growing insecurity in the state. According to him, a significant number of violent attacks on communities in Plateau are being planned and executed from neighboring states.
Hon. Gagdi made this assertion during an interview on Politics Today, a current affairs program aired on Channels Television, on Tuesday. He said that criminal elements, including bandits and kidnappers, have found a haven in forest reserves located along Plateau State’s borders, especially near the Taraba State boundary.
Criminals using forest reserves as operational bases
The lawmaker pointed out that forest reserves in these border regions are no longer safe spaces for conservation or biodiversity but have become operational bases for criminal groups. He explained that these forests, initially designated as protected zones, are now dominated by armed groups who use the terrain for cover and tactical advantage.
“The forest reserve situated around the state’s boundary is the place where those bandits from the Northwest and Northeast, particularly from the Zamfara axis, have completely relocated to in order to carry out their attacks,” Gagdi said.
He further emphasized that local farmers are unable to access farmlands near these reserves due to the presence of these armed groups. “Farmers are not allowed to farm in that area for the fact that it’s reserved. So it has become a safe haven for bandits, kidnappers, and other criminals,” he added.
Taraba boundary identified as a major security hotspot
Gagdi identified the area bordering Taraba State as one of the most problematic zones. He explained that the location of the game reserve in this region makes it a strategic planning ground for criminal elements who organize attacks on innocent civilians from there.
He said, “If those criminals are in the game reserve, particularly the one which is situated along Taraba boundary, they plan and coordinate attacks from there on civilians.”
Calls for coordinated security efforts
The lawmaker called for increased collaboration between states sharing borders in order to better tackle the growing security threats. According to him, treating the problem as an isolated issue within Plateau State would not lead to long-lasting solutions.
“There must be a multi-state security strategy. We cannot continue to deal with this as if Plateau alone is the problem. These are coordinated efforts by criminals who know no state boundaries,” he said.
A broader national security implication
Security experts have echoed similar concerns in recent months, suggesting that ungoverned forest areas across Nigeria are increasingly becoming sanctuaries for criminals. The rise in attacks on farming communities, particularly in the Middle Belt and Northern regions, has worsened food insecurity and displaced thousands of residents.
The Federal Government has been urged by various stakeholders to invest in surveillance, intelligence gathering, and the deployment of security forces to forested regions across the country.
Conclusion
As insecurity continues to plague parts of Nigeria, particularly the North-Central region, voices like that of Hon. Yusuf Gagdi highlight the complex nature of the threat. Addressing the root causes and understanding the cross-border dynamics of these attacks may be key to restoring peace in Plateau State and beyond.
