Niger state Governor , Abubakar Sani Bello has described sabotage by some people in the communities affected by armed banditry, kidnappings and Cattle rustling as directly responsible for the inability of security agencies to completely overrun the criminals.
The Governor, while addressing Journalists at Government House, Minna, acknowledged and applauded security agencies and the vigilantes in the renewed fight against the bandits but regretted that their efforts were been sabotaged by some informants who divulge strategies of the security operatives and their movement.
“This is a very serious challenge to us because the bandits are working with some highly placed members of the affected communities who give them vital information thereby aiding them from been tactically isolated and overrun”.
He said the state has been confronted with serial security threats in recent times,stated that his government will not be deterred by the unpatriotic activities of such saboteurs but will do everything possible to bring and end to crime and criminality in the state.
Governor Sani Bello urged the people to support government in the fight against the bandits by reporting persons suspected to be aiding the bandits and to also provide useful, prompt information to the security agencies in order to trace their movements and checkmate their nefarious activities.
The Governor also identified the state’s landmass and vast forests as one of the biggest challenge stressing that the bandits have, regrettably, capitalized on the thickness of the forests to rustle Cattle and kidnap people in the affected areas.
“I can assure you that all hands are on deck to ensure that we provide safe and secure environment for our people. Our success against these miscreants can only be accelerated with proper knowledge and intelligence about them, hence the need for the support of all”.Gov Sani-Bello added.
Five Local Government Areas, including Rafi, Shiroro, Mariga, Lapai and Munya have, in recent times, suffered serial attacks from the banditry, maiming and destroying properties running into millions of naira which has made thousands to fled their homes for safety.
