Only joint operations among the states affected by banditry will bring an end to the nefarious activities of bandits and kidnappers.
Gov. Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger disclosed this when he visited Ma’undu in Mariga local government Area of the State.
The area was deserted by members of the community for about one year now due to activities of bandits.
The visit was to boost the morale of the over 300 security operatives including vigilantes that liberated the community and to assess damages inflicted on the community.
Sani-Bello, who said that there were no bandit’s camps in the state, noted that the bandits usually come in from neighbouring states particularly Zamfara to carry out their nefarious activities.
The Governor stressed the need for synergy among the states affected by the activities of the bandits, pointing out that individual state efforts would not yield the desired results.
He said that the state government would continue to make efforts to secure affected communities like Ma’undu which has diverse agricultural potentials.
He also assured that feeder roads and culverts would be provided for the community to ease mobility.
The governor commended the security operatives for their gallantry in pushing the bandits out of the community and promised continued support in the areas of logistics and welfare for optimum results.
“Your efforts will not go unnoticeable, I am glad I am here today to associate with you, to feel part of what you feel and see the difficulty in accessing the terrain,” he said.
The Governor enjoined the security operatives to remain focused and be wary of informants, adding that families of the security personnel who paid the supreme price would be catered for by the government.
CP Monday Kuryus, Commissioner of Police Niger, said that there have been lots of security operations against the bandits.
He gave the assurance that the combined forces would not relent in their efforts to restore peace in the state.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, while explaining efforts of the state government in contending with security challenges, said more strategies are being evolved to end insecurity.
Ma’undu is a farming community with about a thousand houses, surrounded by four other major communities.
