Banditry: Three soldiers killed in Niger — Governor Bello

 • Three soldiers killed by bandits in Magama local government of Niger State

 • The governor made this known in a media briefing at the statehouse in Mina

 • A few communities under threat but the security agencies are doing their best to contain the situation

Niger State Governor Sanni Bello says three soldiers have been killed by bandits in Magama Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Bello added that some of the bandits were killed and two bodies recovered when security agencies were trailing the rest of the bandits.

He said this while addressing journalists after a meeting with security chiefs in the state at the Government House, Minna, on Tuesday.

According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mary Noel-Berje, 25 displaced communities are returning back home.

“Respite has begun to return to communities that were displaced by banditry activities in Shiroro, Munya and Mariga local government areas even as 25 displaced communities are returning to their ancestral homes,” she said in a statement on the governor’s interaction with the journalists.

Governor Bello, who pointed out that he has monitored the movement of the IDPs, said there was no cause for alarm as everything was moving smoothly.

“I am happy to announce that we have seen tremendous improvement, a lot of IDPs have gradually moved to their villages especially in Shiroro, Munya and Mariga local governments.

“We have at least 25 communities that have relocated back to their various homes”, he said.

The governor, however, said security threats remain in some communities but assured that the security agents were working tirelessly to curtail the situation.

“It doesn’t mean we still do not have some challenges, we have a few communities under threat but the security agencies are doing their best to contain the situation”, he stated.

Mr Bello said if more security personnel are deployed by the Federal Government to the state, more grounds will be covered.

“The governor allayed the fears of food shortage in the state, stressing that the IDPs that were returned to their homes are major agricultural producing areas believing that they will engage in their farming activities immediately.