Governor Engr. Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State has issued a warning to the public regarding the infiltration of the North-Central region by a Boko Haram offshoot known as Wulowulo.
During a security stakeholders’ meeting held in Lafia, the state capital, Governor Sule called on leaders and communities across the North-Central zone to unite and confront this emerging security threat.
Research into the Wulowulo group reveals no prior records beyond the two well-known Boko Haram factions-Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP)-both of which originated from internal disputes within Boko Haram’s leadership.
The governor cautioned that the rise of Wulowulo could exacerbate the already fragile security landscape in the region, which has been destabilized further by the activities of the Lakurawa militant group, particularly in parts of Kwara State.
As chairman of the North-Central Governors’ Forum (NCGF), Governor Sule emphasized the urgency of addressing these threats collectively.
“The Wulowulo faction, a splinter from Boko Haram, is beginning to make its presence felt in the North-Central area,” he explained.
“Meanwhile, the Lakurawa militants, initially active in Kebbi and Sokoto States, have now extended their operations into Kwara, which is part of our North-Central region,” he added.
Governor Sule urged security agencies to intensify efforts to prevent the spread of Wulowulo into Nasarawa State, pledging enhanced logistical support to bolster counter-terrorism operations.
This security briefing followed a recent attack in which eight residents were killed during a dawn assault on Nindama community in Kokona Local Government Area.
The governor highlighted that the meeting was convened in response to intelligence reports indicating attempts by criminal elements from other regions to penetrate the North-Central zone.
“We convened this gathering because the escalating insecurity in other parts of the country is a serious concern, and we are beginning to see signs of these threats creeping into our state. It is crucial that we act decisively to prevent this,” he stressed.
Governor Sule also voiced concern over the increasing incidents of kidnapping, particularly in urban centers such as Lafia and Karu Local Government Areas.
He acknowledged that previous measures have fallen short in curbing the kidnapping menace and called for innovative strategies to address the challenge effectively.
“Kidnapping remains a persistent problem, especially in Lafia Local Government. The issue has spread from other areas and is now more pronounced in Lafia and parts of Karu. This situation demands that we rethink our approach and develop new solutions,” Governor Sule concluded.
