Insecurity: Niger vows to flush out terrorists as security operatives eliminates 20 bandits

TUNDE BOLAJI- MINNA

Lawmakers representing Niger State at the lower chamber of the National Assembly, paid  sympathy visit to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello at the Niger Lodge in Abuja.

The lawmakers who are  members of the All Progressives Congress APC except Shehu Sale representing Magama / Rijau  who is APGA were led by Umar Mohammed  Bago  representing  chanchaga  federal Constituency.

The visit was to Commiserate with the Governor over the recent attacks by terrorists in some local government areas of the state.

Responding, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello while appreciating the lawmakers for their concern, said the situation is quite disturbing but there are however success stories being recorded as many of the terrorists have been killed in the last few days, following the intensive onslaught by the joint security operatives.

He assured them that his administration will not rest on it oars until normalcy return to the state.

In the meantime, over 200 terrorists belonging to four different camps have been killed across Niger state in the past three days in an intensified joint security operations in the state.

Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development, Chieftaincy Affairs, and Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar disclosed this to journalists during briefing at the Government House, Minna  under the  directives of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello. 

Mr Umar said  many commanders of the terrorists were among those destroyed pointing out that the terrorists killed belonged to the camps of Ali Kawajo, Yello Janbros, Kachalla Halilu and Bello Turji.

The commissioner stressed that , the success recorded was due to the new approach evolved in the joint security operations and the collective efforts of traditional leaders, community leaders as well as community members . 

He said over 60 motorcycles, unspecified number of cows and arms were recovered, adding that the arms have been handed over to the security agencies. 

The Commissioner announced that the joint security agencies however recorded some casualties; two deaths and many injured, whom he said are receiving treatment at a government facility. 

He on behalf of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello sympathized with the families of the security operatives that were killed and their agencies saying that their sacrifices is appreciated and will not go unrewarded. 

While commending the security agencies, community leaders and members of the affected  communities for their collective efforts towards annihilating the terrorists,  cautioned the general public to be vigilant as some of the terrorists who escaped with bullet wounds are taking shelter in some communities. 

He passionately appealed to the public to report any strange persons within their environment while re-iterating government’s determination to win the war.

“We are appealing to the general public that this fight is not for government alone, it is for us all, we will not rest, until we chase them out of our land,  and will continue trailing those that have escaped as well ensure that we do  everything possible for them to pay, for the destruction that they  have causing our people”, he said.