Governor Abubakar Sani Bello says Niger State and the Federal government are re-strategising to fight and eliminate the bandits terrorizing parts of the State. Governor Abubakar Sani Bello disclosed this while briefing newsmen at the Government House, Minna. He said the State is supporting security agencies in an effort to end the banditry attack being faced in some local government areas of the State. “The State government has been unrelenting to provide logistic support to security agencies including the provision of vehicles, motorcycles and other logistics to dislodge the hoodlums across the State”, he said. Governor Sani Bello expressed both the State and Federal governments concern over the security challenges facing the State. He noted that, the major challenge has been in the areas of banditry, kidnappings, and cattle-rustling in Shiroro, Paikoro, Munya, Mariga, Rijau and Mashegu local government areas. He frowned at the situation where people are using social media to jeopardize the security strategies planned by the security agencies against the bandits. The governor maintained that for victory to be achieved against the bandits and criminal elements, all hands must be on deck to support the security agencies. He however expressed worry that there are many informants of the bandits making the fight a difficult task. He assured that everything and all options are being employed to end the ugly menace that has engulfed the affected areas, pledging the readiness of the State government to continue to participate in all operations of the security agencies. While decrying a situation where people dislodged are staying at Internally Displaced People’s Camps, the Governor says government is doing its best, towards ending activities of the bandits to ensure that the people return to their ancestral homes. The security briefing was attended by all heads of security outfits in the State and other top government functionaries. Meanwhile, in order to assist in combating and checkmating activities of bandits, the State government has presented 120 motorcycles, and 12 vehicles to vigilantes in four of the affected local governments on the hot spot of banditry attacks and cattle rustling. Governor Sani Bello mentioned the four local governments to include, Shiroro, Rafi, Munya and Mariga, promising more provision of such logistics. He urged the vigilante to support and cooperate with the security agencies and work in accordance with the law for maximum result.

Source: Chief Press Secretary to the Governor of Niger state.