….as Gagdi raises alarm on killings, kidnappings, and displacement in Kanam constituency
The House of Representatives on Tuesday raised serious concern over the worsening insecurity and flood disasters ravaging communities in the Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency of Plateau State.
This followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi (APC–Plateau), who lamented the persistent wave of banditry, kidnapping, cattle rustling, and natural disasters in Garga area of Kanam Local Government and other parts of his constituency.
Gagdi, who is also the Chairman of the House Committee on Navy, described the situation as “dire and deeply distressing,” noting that despite several interventions and motions previously raised on the matter, the crisis has continued to escalate.
He said: “Since 2022, my constituency has been under siege. Armed bandits in collaboration with local accomplices, including some bad eggs among vigilante groups, have turned our once peaceful communities into killing fields. People can no longer go to their farms. Markets are being burnt, homes destroyed, and lives taken with impunity.”
The lawmaker recalled the recent kidnapping of two village heads — Mallam Hudu Alhassan Musa of Shuwaka and Mallam Zubairu Garba Usman of Birbyeng. While the former was reportedly killed in captivity, the latter has remained in the hands of his abductors for over a month.
According to him, hundreds of cattle have been rustled, local markets razed, and several communities displaced, with farmers abandoning their farmlands for fear of attacks — a situation he warned could deepen food insecurity and poverty across the region.
Gagdi also drew attention to the flooding and rainstorm disasters that have compounded the suffering of residents, destroying farmlands, homes, and critical infrastructure across the three local government areas.
Expressing frustration, he reminded the House that this was the third time he was moving a motion on the same issue, yet “security presence remains grossly inadequate, and humanitarian response has been almost non-existent.”
Gagdi warned that unless urgent action is taken, the insecurity and humanitarian situation in the constituency could degenerate into a “total breakdown of law and order.”
Adopting the motion, the House resolved to:
Urge the Chief of Defence Staff to establish a Forward Operation Base (FOB) in Garga Area of Kanam Local Government to ensure rapid military response to banditry and kidnapping;
Call on the Inspector-General of Police to create a Divisional Police Headquarters in Gum Area of Kanam;
Direct the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to set up a Divisional Office in Gwamlar Area to strengthen joint security efforts;
Urge the Department of State Services (DSS) to expand its special operations to Kanam and conduct periodic intelligence-led raids on identified flashpoints; and
Call on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Poverty Alleviation, and Disaster Management to provide urgent relief materials and rehabilitation support to victims of banditry and flooding.
The House further mandated its Committees on Defence, Police Affairs, National Security and Intelligence, Interior, and Legislative Compliance to investigate the situation and report back within two months.
© 2025, Standard Focus. All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from STANDARD FOCUS.