Niger state Governor ,Abubakar Sani Bello has reassured that his administration will not rest on its oars until it end banditry and other criminal activities in the state.
The Governor made the disclosure in Kagara, headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area, when a state government delegation, at the instance of the Governor, paid a condolence visit to the Emirate over the recent bandits’ attack which led to the abduction and killing of the District Head of Madaka, Alhaji Zakari Yau Idris with the District Head of Gunna, Alhaji Abdulhamid Mohammed Danyaro still in captivity.
Leader of delegation and Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Ahmed Ibrahim Matane said Governor Sani Bello is deeply worried and constantly in discussion with President Muhammadu Buhari and the security service chiefs in the country to salvage the state and other parts of the country that are under siege in the hands of the bandits and other criminal elements.
Matane said the Governor has, in the past six months, been vigorously pursuing the presence of an Army Super Camp between the axis of Rafi and Shiroro local government areas of the state which were the most troubled spot.
He attributed the abrupt withdrawal of the Special Forces that were engaging the bandits around Mariga, Rafi and Shiroro with positive results to other engagements, assured that the Governor was still in talks for their urgent return.
The SSG urged the people to be patient and support the government by giving credible information on any suspicious movement.
Chief of Staff (COS), Government House, Alhaji Ibrahim Balarabe condemned those that have turned themselves as informants to the bandits, urged those who know them to expose them no matter their status.
Balarabe added that no sensible government would be happy with such quantum of mayhem and arson being meted out on its citizens assuring that government will continue to explore all avenues to end insecurity in the affected parts of the state.
The state government delegation was received at the Emir of Kagara’s Palace by his representatives the Tafidan Kagara, Alhaji Mohammed Shahabudeen Isah, Walin Kagara, Alhaji Shehu Ibrahim Kagara, where they appreciated the government’s prompt visit to commiserate the emirate and the affected families.
Chairman of Rafi Local Government, Ismaila Musa Modibbo said the establishment of a Military Base in the area will go a long way to end the bandits’ ungodly activities.
Modibbo called for more funding and support to vigilantes as they were giving the bandits a good fight.
He disclosed that no few than 18, 000 cows have been rustled or killed by bandits and that virtually all inhabitants of Rafi have lost their sources of livelihood stressed that,
if drastic measures were not taken, these daredevils would soon find themselves in Minna as there were various routes through the interior leading from Madaka to Maikunkele.
Some of the stakeholders of Rafi who appreciated the government and condemned the bandits’ acts included; the Village Head of Madaka, Ex Corporal Saleh Ahmed, Alhaji Hussaini Ahmed the Sarkin Gabas Kagara and son to the murdered District Head of Madaka as well as Labaran Ahmed a retired civil servant.
The state government delegation was comprised of members of the executive council, elected and political appointees from Rafi and other top government functionaries.
