Bandits terrorising Nigeria are hired foreign militias, Niger gov cries out
Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello
Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello says most of the bandits terrorising parts of the country are hired mercenaries from outside Nigeria.
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Bello, therefore, said on Monday that Nigerians must take decisive steps to frustrate the foreign mercenaries’ plan to forcibly change Nigerians’ normal lifestyle.
“Nigerians must try their best not make them succeed in forcing us to change our normal lives,” he said.
The governor stated this just as he deployed about 1000 combined security agents to ensure the rescue of the 136 abducted students from Salihu Tanko Islamiya School in Tegina, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
While addressing the members of the security agencies, Governor Bello said “most of these bandits are from outside the country.
“They are hired to cause problems for us. It is not the habit of the true Fulani to indulge in this kind of act.”
The deployed security agents include soldiers, police officers, Civil Defence and vigilance groups’ operatives.
During his visit to some parents of the abducted school children, Governor Bello assured them that the government had resolved to take decisive measures in ensuring the safe return of the children.
He said, “These bandits are well organised and coordinated. We cannot fold our arms anymore but to take decisive and necessary steps to apprehend those involved, both the informants and the bandits.
“They started by displacing farmers from their farmlands. Next they moved to burning farms, then moved to kidnappings and forcing us to close our schools. Now, they have started attacking Islamic schools, only God knows what is next.”
Earlier at a meeting with the parents of the 136 kidnapped students of the Islammiya School and other stakeholders at the palace of the Emir of Kagara, Alh. Ahmed Garba Gunna, the governor commiserated with them.
Governor Bello also urged the parents to exercise patience as government had begun to explore all avenues to ensure their safe rescue.
He added, “Even though we have ruled out payment of ransom, it is time for government to take decisive measures towards ending the bandits’ activities that is forcefully changing the lives of the people, especially in the rural areas.
“The abductors are not honest. They are not honourable. After agreeing with parents, they started shifting goal post and now we are here to take action.”
While commending the security personnel for their efforts in fighting the bandits in the last few weeks, the governor revealed that logistics have been provided and that their allowances and other financial benefits will always be provided as at when due.
Bello, who mourned the killing of 20 Vigilante Corps Members by bandits in Magama Local Government Area of the state, urged the Federal Government to collaborate with Nigeria’s neighbours to checkmate these foreign invaders.
“From all indications, these bandits are foreigners,” the governor said.
Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmad Garba Gunna, (Attahiru II), while responding, commended Governor Bello for all the support, especially in the area of security to the emirate and the support given to the family of the kidnapped schoolchildren.
Also speaking, the Headmaster of the Islamiyyah School, Mallam Abubakar Alhassan, said the action of the government was a welcome development provided that the kidnapped children would be rescued and brought back safely.
Alhassan confirmed that 15 of his teachers have escaped from the hands of their abductors in Zamfara State with four already in Kagara and 11 in a military facility in Birnin Gwari, Kaduna State, where they will be handed over to the Niger State Government soon.
