Shiroro residents negotiate ceasefire with bandits after government neglect

Communities ravaged by bandits in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have negotiated a ceasefire deal with their attackers.

The communities have been under serious attacks for months and many residents have lost their lives, with an unspecified number of persons abducted.

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A police source, who did not want to be quoted, said the residents the bandits have also been collecting taxes from the villagers.

Commenting on the development, co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki, said all communities and villages in Gurmana and Manta districts of Shiroro, have negotiated with bandits.

“Virtually all Communities and Villages in Gurmana and Manta Districts of Shiroro local government, Niger State, have negotiated with terrorists for a ceasefire.

“They have reached agreement to paying a certain amount of money, among other conditions, including purchasing Honda Motorcycles for the bandits.

“Also, some Communities and Villages in Bassa/Kukoki Ward have have followed suit by agreeing to pay certain amount of money among others while the bandits suspend their nefarious activities,” he said.

Daily Trust gathered that depending on the request of the gunmen, some villages pay as much as N2million in addition to other demands of the group.

Lamenting their plight, some residents said they prefer remitting revenue to bandits than government, in order for peace to reign.

They alleged that government does not care about their security and welfare.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report as his mobile telephone was switched off.