Niger Governor Open Talks with Bandits and Terrorists Ravaging the State
Governor Umar Bago of Niger state says he is in talk with the terrorists and armed bandits, who are ravaging communities in the state.
He said the extensive talks aims at convincing the terrorists in the state to drop their weapons and get amnesty.
The governor unveiled his plan during a visit to the information commissioner, Mohammed Idris in his office in Abijja.
The governor explained that the ongoing talks are not negotiations, but to make them to surrender and be integrated back into the society.
He, however warned that military would crush them if they failed to take advantage of the fresh initiative.
Bago said he established the Ministry of Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs as part of a strategy to curb clashes between farmers and herders and open dialogue with bandits in the area.
Banditry and terrorist attacks have been on the rise in Nigeria, despite government promises to tackle the challenge.
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On Monday, a military helicopter crashed in Niger state after bandits reportedly shot at it. It had been on a mission to airlift troops wounded in an ambush in the state hours earlier.
Bandits had earlier ambushed and killed 13 soldiers along the Zungeru-Tegina road in Madaka Ward of the Rafi Local Government Area of the state.
President Tinubu condemned the incidents and extended his condolences to the families, military chiefs and personnel of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
He promised to tackle the protracted security challenge as well as rising inflation.
In a statement Wednesday, Tinubu announced new ministers and their portfolios, coming three months after he assumed office.
The new 45-member Cabinet is a mix of members of his political party, the All Progressive Congress (APC), former governors, technocrats and professionals.
An financial expert who was formerly with the World Bank heads the country’s finance and economic team. ​​​​​​​
Nigerians say they expect the new ministers to help the president urgently address the country’s high cost of living, food shortage and health sector crisis.
