October 21, 2025
NEWS

Governor Sule pledges sustained backing as Nigerian Army moves Special Forces Training School to Nasarawa

…we need more support to surmount challenges-COAS

Governor Abdullahi Sule has assured that his administration would continue to synergize, collaborate and support all security agencies operating in Nasarawa State in order to build and sustain the relative peace in the state.

Governor Sule gave the assurance when he hosted the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, alongside all his principal officers at the Army Headquarters on a courtesy call visit at the Government House on Friday.

The Governor commended the Nigerian army for its decision to relocate the special forces training school from Yobe State to Nasarawa State.

“I thank you for your kind comments and thank you for the initiative to create this synergy that we are seeing now by relocating this special school to the headquarters of the special forces. That means a lot to us. When you said it is adding value, it is adding so many values to us, being that now we have the synergy and we are going to be the host of the trainees. I know also that the headquarters of the special forces will have the opportunity for further training and posting them to the various locations to continue what you wish to do best, that is, protect Nigeria,” he stated.

While pledging to be a good host to the new school, he commended the synergy already existing between the special forces, Operation Whirlstroke, 177 Battalion Keffi and the Nigerian Police, which is fostering peace across the state.

“We must thank all these security agencies. They have always been very, very supportive. Every time we have this synergy between them, the special forces, the Whirlstroke and the 177, always come together and ensure that we have the support that we need in Nasarawa State,” he said.

He pointed out that with the state sandwiched between other states in the zone facing bigger security challenges, Nasarawa State is prone to security issues along border communities.

“Nasarawa State is sandwiched between states that are having bigger challenges than we do. In the past, Southern Kaduna always had one problem or the other, and we had borders with them. In fact, my local government has borders with them, which is why I am able to know what is happening around Gwantu and the rest of that. The side of Wamba constantly there are problems with Plateau and Taraba. We have Awe, Keana, and Doma having challenges constantly with Benue. Toto Local Government, sometimes is also having challenges with Kogi,” he added.

Governor Sule lamented that mostly Abuja bound criminals found it easy to hibernate in the bushes in the state undetected posing security threats.

“With all these challenges that we are facing, we are still, with all sense of humility and respect, one of the most peaceful states, amongst all these states that I have mentioned. I think we must continue to thank you and thank your forces for the wonderful job they have continued to do and to support us in that direction,” he said.

The Governor used the opportunity to update the COAS and his entourage on the various efforts taken by his administration to reposition the state, especially in the areas of mining and agriculture.

He was emphatic that without the relative peace being enjoyed in the state, the successes being recorded would not have been possible.

“We are a state that because of the background of some of our leaders today, we are trying everything possible to promote solid minerals and to continue to promote agriculture. We acquired 10, 000 hectares of land in order for us to cultivate rice.

“As members of the ruling APC, we believe in the renewed hope agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu on food security. If we don’t take it upon ourselves to do that, nobody will do that. That is why we ventured directly into agriculture, and today, we have roughly over 3000 hectares so far,” he said.
The Governor equally informed the COAS delegation of the strides being recorded in the area of solid minerals development in Nasarawa State.

“I am happy to tell you that we are ready at the moment to commission the next lithium processing plant, which is the biggest in West Africa so far. Today, we still have the biggest right now, the Avarta Lithium Mining and Processing plant, which was again commissioned by Mr. President last year. But we are having the one that is twice that in size. So we are now having the biggest and the second biggest all coming up in the area of solid minerals in addition to agriculture. If not for the peace, nothing like that could happen,” he added.

He harped on the significance of peace and the support his administration continue to enjoy from security agencies in the state.

“I always call on the good people of Nasarawa State to, first and foremost, live in peace with one another. Living in peace with one another makes your job a little easier. Giving you a lot of intelligence. I am happy to tell you that your own officers and all the security agencies being coordinated by the Commissioner of Police in the state are doing a fantastic job synergizing. They do not compete with one another. Instead, they work closely with one another. I want to thank them before you,” he said.

This is just as the COAS, Lt. General Olufemi Oluyede, said security agencies in the country need more support from the people in order to be able to surmount the security challenges confronting the country.

According to the COAS, the Nigerian army represents Nigerians, with soldiers and officers from across each of the 36 states of the federation.

“I am always very quick to tell Nigerians that the Nigerian Army represents Nigerians. You will find members of the Nigerian Army from every state of the country. So we belong to Nigerians, to our people. And it is our job to protect Nigerians. We will do our best to do that. But it is important for Nigerians to know that we are not spirits,” he said.

He pointed out that the army needs more support, especially when you look at their total number against the challenges being faced by the country.

“When you look at our number, as against the challenges we are facing, I think we need more support from people. We need more support from Nigerians. It is important for us to be supported. Because security is every body’s business, it’s not all about the army, air force, navy or police. If we don’t get the right support from our people, we can’t do much,” he stated.

Lt. General Oluyede commended Governor Sule for being a good host and for supporting the Nigerian Army, urging other governors to emulate this strategy to extend the peaceful coexistence across other states.

“I need to particularly thank Your Excellency for the support you have been given to the Nigerian Army through the 4special Forces Command and that of the Operation Whirlstroke. I believe the peace we are experiencing in Nasarawa State lies more with the cooperation we are getting from the government and the good people of Nasarawa State.

“I thank you very much for that support and I would like to enjoin you to please continue in that trajectory so that we can have more peace in the state and maybe by extension some other states may copy Nasarawa State and support us more in doing our job,” he added.

The Chief of Army Staff said he was in the state to perform the groundbreaking for the Nigerian Army Special Forces Training School that is being relocated to the headquarters of the special forces in Doma.

“The intent is for us to establish the special forces training school within the premises of special forces command. I am here this morning to lay that solid foundation. I believe that would add some value to the state and make the Nigerian Army more efficient in discharging its her duties of protecting Nigerians and making Nigeria itself safer,” he said.

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