You are here: HomeNewsCrime & Punishment2021 06 15Article 448039

General News of Tuesday, 15 June 2021

Source: thenationonlineng.net

Bandits cannot intimidate us - Gov Sani-Bello vows

Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello

Niger state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello has declared that the activities of banditry in the state will not intimidate the people or the government as they would not allow bandits to change the style of living of the people.

Just as the Governor set up the Niger Special Vigilante Corps (NSVC) which comprise of nine vigilante groups.

Speaking about the increasing spate of banditry in the state, Bello declared that the state would not allow bandits to change the style of living of the people even though the bandits are trying very hard to force the people to change their way of life.

“Bandits want to force us to change our way of life in Niger state but we won’t allow them.

“They stopped our children from going to school, they stopped us from travelling on our roads, they stopped farmers from going to the farm and now they are trying to stop our children from going to Islamic school, but we will not be intimidated, we will not allow that to happen we will continue to live our normal lives.”

Launching the special vigilante corps at the State Police Headquarters in Minna, the Governor stated that it would help in curtailing the activities of youth gangs across the state.

According to the Governor, the idea of the Special Vigilante Corps was formulated by the state government and the state Police Commissioner adding that it would streamline the activities of all local security outfits in the state into one special corps.

The groups that formed the special force include, Chinaka, ADC, Abidoka, WAI BRIGADE, Hunters Group, AOG, Vigilantes, Maito and Maitumbi Security Organisation.

He stated that the rising cases of youth gangs and their activities across the state especially the state capital has become unacceptable and need strict measures.

“While the security agencies were battling with bandits in the rural areas, a new dimension came in Minna which is unacceptable. We have a situation where we have youths gangs fighting themselves, creating injuries on travellers that is totally unacceptable,” he added.

Bello however cautioned the members of the Special Vigilante Corps to act within the purview of law stressing that abuse of human rights by the Corps would be unacceptable.

The state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Usman said that the special Vigilante Corps were trained for two weeks and have been taught how to curb youth restiveness in Minna the state capital.

Usman commended the Niger State approach by empowering the police to train and supervise the activities of the Vigilante Corps.

Ten Hilux vans, 20 motorcycles with 161 members of the corps were launched as part of phase one.

The government stated that the second phase will soon commence and will be replicated in other parts of the state.