Niger Gov advocates States’ joint security operations to end banditry

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, said only joint operations and synergy amongst the states affected by the activities of bandits and kidnappers will bring an end to the menace.

Governor Bello disclosed this when he visited Ma’undu community in Mariga Local Government Area of the state which has been deserted by members of the community for about one year due to bandits’ activities.

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Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Mary Noel-Berje, in a statement on Thursday, said the visit by the governor was to boost the morale of the over 300 security operatives which include vigilantes that liberated the community.

The governor was also there to assess damages inflicted on the community.

Governor Sani Bello, who explained that there were no bandits’ camps in the state, noted that the criminal elements usually come in from neighbouring states, particularly Zamfara State, to carry out their nefarious activities and go back.

The governor stressed the need for synergy among the states affected by the activities of the bandits, pointing out that individual state’s efforts would not yield the desired results.

He maintained that the state government would continue to make efforts to secure affected communities, like Ma’undu which has diverse agricultural potentials, so as to prevent food shortage in the area.

He also assured that feeder roads and culverts would be provided for the community to ease mobility.

Governor Bello commended the security operatives for their gallantry in pushing the bandits out of the community and promised continued support to the security personnel, especially in the areas of logistics and welfare for optimum results.

The governor enjoined the security operatives to remain focused and be wary of informants, adding that families of the security personnel who paid the supreme price would be taken care of by the government.

The Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, Monday Bala Kuryas, said that there have been a lot of security operations against the bandits, assuring that the combined forces would not relent in their efforts to restore peace in the state.

Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs in the state, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, while explaining the efforts of the state government in contending with security challenges, said more strategies were being evolved to end insecurity.

Ma’undu is a farming community with about a thousand houses, surrounded by four other major communities.

The governor and some members of the state executive council who were led by the Commissioner of Police in support of other security chiefs in the state rode on motorcycles for about 50 minutes to Ma’undu community.