•Governor Umaru Bago of Niger State
Niger governor, Umaru Bago has declared he will never negotiate with bandits or pay ransom for kidnapped victims.
The governor called on the people in affected communities where bandits frequent to stand up and defend themselves, reports The Nation.
Speaking during a condolence visit to the people of Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas whose communities were recently attacked by bandits in Kontagora, the Governor stated tackling insecurity needs collective action and resistance.
“I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and keep kidnapping people,” he said.
He added: “We are surrounded by enemies but we will not give up. The Constitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we will do just that. There is no going back.”
Bago described it as embarrassing and unacceptable that communities could be invaded and residents turned into Internally Displaced Persons.
He announced plans to recruit and train 10,000 members into the Joint Task Force (JTF) to help restore security, with recruitment beginning immediately.
Bago also declared total ban on mining across the entire Zone C of the State, which covers eight local government areas, including Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu and Agwara.
