In a bold response to Niger State bandit attacks, Governor Umaru Bago has urged residents to defend themselves against growing insecurity.
Bago, visiting Rijau and Magama, vowed he would neither negotiate with nor pay ransom to bandits terrorizing communities.
“I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom,” he said firmly. “The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and continue kidnapping people.”
Bago described the crisis as a “state of war” and called for collective resistance. “We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up,” he declared, urging citizens to protect their lives and property.
To strengthen local defense, the governor announced the recruitment and training of 10,000 personnel into the state’s joint task force. The move seeks to restore peace and deliver a swift response to bandit attacks, which he called embarrassing and unacceptable.
Bago decisively banned all mining in Zone C, linking the activity to rising insecurity and criminal operations.
He questioned the unrestricted movement of miners in dangerous forests. “It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them,” he said, directing the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest anyone caught mining illegally.
Governor Bago reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to end violence and restore lasting peace across the state. Aisha Wakaso reinforced his message, stressing zero tolerance for crime and urging communities to stay resilient against bandit attacks.
