Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule, has reiterated that in spite of the security challenge confronting the state, especially in Toto Local Government Area, Nasarawa still remains among the most peaceful states in the country.
Governor Sule stated this in opening remarks during the monthly state executive council meeting, which held at the Government House, on Wednesday.
The Governor assured the people of the state that in spite of the security challenge confronting the state in a particular location, Nasarawa continues to experience peace.
Engineer Sule however expressed gratitude to President Muhammadu Buhari and the security agencies, for their collective efforts to ensure that the activities of bandits, who now operate like the dreaded Boko Haram is nipped in the bud.
The Governor particularly thanked the President for taking prompt action, when he deployed security agents to confront the bandits operating somewhere around Tunga and Bakono axis, with security agents presently undergoing military operations to dislodge the bandits.
Recall that only a few days ago, Engineer Sule visited the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja, where he met with President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Governor used the opportunity of the meeting to also thank the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, who came on a two-day working visit to the state.
Engineer Sule showed appreciation to the Minister and his team, for the good work they carried out while on the visit, as well as the interventions they brought to the state, especially the confirmation that Nasarawa has been selected to be the pilot state for the commencement of the National Livestock Transformation Programme (NLTP), with the Netherlands government approving 400, 000 euros for the project.
“We want to thank him for that, as well as other interventions, including those from IFAD and NEPAD, to be sited in Azara, in Awe Local Government Area,” he stated.
The Governor equally thanked major agricultural companies operating in the state, including the Shabu Farms, in Kokona LGA, Dangote Group, Olams, among others, for their support during the visit by showcasing their various activities.
The governor used the opportunity of the meeting, to also draw attention of the people of the state on the devastating effect of the coronavirus pandemic, with the state witnessing an escalation in the number of cases.
According to the Governor, the rise in the number of confirmed cases in the state, is attributable to the increase in the number of tests being conducted across the state on a daily basis.
Giving an update on the COVID-19 status of the state, the Governor disclosed that do far, Nasarawa has recorded 1, 496 positive cases, out of 15, 023 tests conducted, with 1000 outstanding results still being awaited.
He gave a further breakdown as follows, 743 persons discharged, with 56 others presently undergoing treatment in Lafia and Keffi. 27 deaths were however recorded, the three local government areas of Lafia, Keffi and Karu still retaining the highest number of positive cases, put at 80 percent.
The Governor therefore called on the people of the state to continue to maintain the COVID-19 protocols, in order to reduce the challenges confronting the state.