By Yinka Ezun, Lagos and Tunde Bolaji – Minna.
As the insecurity level reaches an alarming point in the North central states, especially Niger State, President Muhammadu Buhari has directed the Defence Headquarters to respond robustly to the cases of killings and kidnappings in the State and to give effect to the strategic objectives through the use of force
According to a statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, the President said its time for a major military operation in Niger State which has faced continued attacks on its communities by bandits and remnants of Boko Haram terrorists fleeing theaters of war in the Northwestern and Northeastern parts of the country.
In his message to the government and people of Niger State, President Buhari said, “I would like to express sincere sympathies to the government and people of the State following recent security incidents.”
The President reiterated that security is a responsibility of every member of the community and only through solidarity and cooperation with law enforcement agencies can we defeat the problems finally.
“The Federal Government is willing to strengthen support and cooperation with all the states. I believe that with the full cooperation of the citizens, we will surely overcome this problem,” said the President.
In the meantime, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State says the insecurity in some part of the state would have been worst if not for the proactive steps of the government and security agents.
Governor Sani Bello stated this when the Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria community from Niger State presented food items and other essential relief materials to the Governor at the government house Minna for onward delivery to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) in the state.
He reiterated the concerns of government about the security challenges in not just the state but the entire northern region and the country at large despite the huge resources deployed to tackle the menace.
The Governor noted that the criminals are taking advantage of the landmass of the state to make the fight against terrorism more difficult.
While appreciating the kind gesture of the donor, the Governor acknowledged that there were those in dire need particularly those forcefully made to leave their homes due to the continuous criminal attacks.
“We are dealing with criminal elements, and the landmass is making it difficult.
“Let me also mention that we will try as much as possible not to keep IDPs, we want to discourage IDPs because once you accept that, then you are into a different problem”, he explained.
He urged the ABU community to continue to relate with the government and provide meaningful suggestions that would be of great benefits to all in the state.
Speaking to newsmen, the leader of the group Prof Nasir Maiturare, former Vice Chancellor IBB University Lapai, Niger State explained that the donation was out of concern for the government and people affected by the criminal activities of terrorists.
He prayed for an end to the insecurity and assured of their continued support to the government.
Some of the items donated are 40 bags of 50kg rice, 8 bags of 100kg beans, milk, palm oil and blankets amongst others.
In similar vein, the Niger Police command has confirmed the abduction of 15 persons by some gunmen in Kulho village of Mashegu Local Government Area of the state.
Police spokesman in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed this in a statement in Minna on Sunday.
Abioudun said that on Jan .14 at about 2 a.m., suspected bandits attacked Kulho village, a remote community via Ibbi in Mashegu and abducted 15 persons.
Abiodun also explained that on the same day at about 1 a.m, suspected bandits/terrorists entered Mashegu village through Jigawa and stole a yet to be ascertained number of cattle.
He said that a team of police had been drafted to the area for search and rescue of the abducted victims.
“We solicited the support of local residents to volunteer reliable information that could aid in apprehending the miscreants,” he said.
