Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has advised residents of the state to defend themselves as he will neither negotiate with bandits nor pay ransom for kidnapped persons in the state.
He said it had got to a stage that the people take urgent steps to defend themselves.
Bago stated this 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 stressed that paying ransom would only encourage more kidnappings and worsen insecurity in the state.
He said, “The state has reached a point where the people must stand up and defend themselves. 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.”
Bago insisted that the Constitution has given citizens the right to protect their lives and property, stating that he would take all necessary steps to fulfil this duty.
“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,” he said.
He added that it is embarrassing and unacceptable that communities could be invaded and their residents turned into internally displaced persons.
Governor Bago described the situation as a “state of war” while calling for collective resistance by everyone.
He however announced plans to recruit and train 10,000 members for the joint task force, declaring a total ban on mining in Zone C of the state, having identified illegal mining as a major cause of insecurity.
He also pledged to support victims of the recent attacks, including paying compensation to families of those killed, providing medical treatment for the injured, and assisting those who lost their livelihoods.
