Chairman of Wase Local Government Council, Hon. Hamisu Mohammed Anani, has made a passionate appeal for urgent federal intervention, including decisive counter-insurgency operations in forested areas of the local government, to combat rising banditry and cross-border criminal activities.
He made the call on Friday, July 25, 2025, when the Plateau State High-Powered Fact-Finding Committee visited Wase as part of its state-wide assessment of insecurity in affected communities.
“Our biggest challenge right now is banditry in Bashar District,” Hon. Hamisu told the committee. “The forests are vast and serve as hideouts for criminals moving in from Zamfara and Katsina. If we are to end this, we need full-scale security operations and more boots on the ground.”
He praised Governor Caleb Mutfwang for constituting the committee and commended the caliber of its members, expressing optimism that their findings would lead to lasting solutions.
Hon. Hamisu also noted that Wase has taken proactive steps, including the registration of Wase Rock Security Company, a local outfit aimed at boosting community security through trained, uniformed personnel operating in synergy with existing vigilante groups.
He decried the lack of cohesion between various security agencies in the area, especially the difficulty in coordinating joint operations between the army and the DSS, despite the council’s logistical support.
“We are feeding and fueling over 140 DSS personnel ourselves, but synergy remains a major gap. We need unified, simultaneous operations. That’s the only way to achieve meaningful results,” he emphasized.
Highlighting the complex nature of insecurity in the LGA, Hon. Hamisu explained that Wase is grappling with:
Land grabbing and internal disputes in the Kadarko and Tarok axis.
Boundary clashes in Lamba District.
Youth involvement in petty theft and motorcycle crimes near the mining belt.
Banditry and infiltration from neighboring states in Bashar.
Despite these challenges, he maintained that the council has made progress through dialogue, community mobilization, and partnerships with neighboring LGAs such as Alkaleri.
The committee, led by Maj. Gen. Nicholas Rogers (Rtd), also visited the palace of the Acting Recna of Bashar, where traditional rulers raised concerns over kidnapping and appealed for stronger government action. A live radio interaction was later held at Wase Rock Broadcasting Network, allowing the committee to engage directly with the public.
Chairman Hamisu concluded by expressing hope that the committee’s visit would bring renewed attention to Wase’s unique security situation.
“If peace returns to Wase, Plateau will sleep better. We are doing our best. We only ask the government and security forces to do theirs,” he said.
