Amid escalating insecurity across Niger State, Governor Umaru Bago has called on residents to defend themselves against relentless bandit attacks, insisting that his administration will not engage in negotiations or pay ransom to criminals.
The governor made the declaration during a visit to Rijau and Magama local government areas, where several communities have come under recent assault from bandits operating from the Kontagora axis.
Governor Bago emphasized that the state had reached a critical stage that required collective action from all citizens to safeguard their lives and property. He warned that paying ransom would only embolden the criminals and encourage more kidnappings.
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“I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and continue kidnapping people,” he said.
The governor described the situation as a “state of war” that demands collective resistance, adding, “We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up. The constitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we will do just that.”
Condemning the frequent attacks and displacement of residents as “embarrassing and unacceptable,” Bago announced plans to recruit and train 10,000 new personnel into the state’s joint task force to boost community-based security and restore peace.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, the governor also declared a total ban on all mining activities in Zone C of the state, covering Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara local government areas.
Bago explained that illegal mining had become a significant driver of insecurity, as many miners reportedly gained unrestricted access to forest areas deemed unsafe for residents.
“It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them. I have ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining activities,” he stated.
Governor Bago reaffirmed his administration’s determination to end the cycle of violence and restore lasting peace in Niger State, stressing that his government would take decisive measures to protect citizens from further attacks.