Minna — Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has vowed never to negotiate with bandits or pay ransom for kidnapped victims, urging residents to defend themselves against attacks.
The governor made this known during a visit to Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas, where communities were recently attacked by bandits operating from the Kontagora axis.
“The state has reached a point where the people must stand up and defend themselves because ransom will only turn kidnapping into a thriving business,” Bago declared.
“I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and continue kidnapping people. The situation has reached a state of war that requires collective resistance.”
The governor emphasized that residents have a constitutional right to defend their lives and property, stressing that his administration would not bow to criminal pressure.
“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.
Describing the frequent invasions and displacement of communities as “embarrassing and unacceptable,” Bago announced plans to recruit and train 10,000 members into the Joint Task Force (JTF) to help restore security across the state.
A statement by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, added that the governor has declared a total ban on all mining activities across Zone C, covering eight local government areas: Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara.
“Illegal mining has become one of the major drivers of insecurity in the area, with miners often accessing forest zones unharmed while residents suffer repeated attacks.
“It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them. I have now ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining activities,” he stated.
Bago also assured victims of recent attacks that his government would provide support and compensation for families of those killed, medical care for the injured, and assistance for those who lost their livelihoods.
