By Correspondent in Minna
Following the overwhelming kidnapping incidents by suspected bandits, Niger state government has ordered the indefinite closure of all boarding schools in; Mariga, Shiroro, Munya and Rafi Local Government Areas of the state.
“Due to increase in activities of armed bandits, our children are no longer safe. I hereby direct that all boarding schools in; Kagara, Rafi, Shiroro and Munya Local Government Areas be closed,”the governor said.
Our correspondent reports that the state has in the past 10 days been in confusion following the kidnap of 40 persons traveling on the state government owned, NSTA.
While the state is yet to recover from the shock, the bandits struck again at Government Science College (GSC), Kagara in Kagara Local Government Area and shot one student, kidnapped 30 others, including three staff.
The online publication gathered that the invasion of Government Science College, Kagara started from the staff quarters as the staff were marched out from their houses and forced to lead the bandits to the students’hostel during an operation which lasted between 2.m and 6 a m on Tuesday.
Eye witness account said the armed men gained entry into the school at about 2:00 a.m and headed for the staff quarters where they rounded the staff namely; Mall. Lawal, Ali, Hannatu and her husband, Dodo, Mohammed Abubakar (Akawu) and Batagi, who later escaped from the bandits.
Lamenting on the precarious security situation in Niger state, Governor Abubarkar Sani Bello told journalists at the Government House, Minna that the number of bandits operating in the staste was overwhelming and called for called for urgent intervention of the federal government.
“The number of the armed bandits seems to have been on the increase. Last Sunday, February 14, 40 passengers traveling on NSTA were kidnapped. While we are yet to recover from the shock, just this morning, the bandits invaded Government Science College, Kagara; kill one student, Benjamin S. Doma, kidnapped 27 others and 3 members of staff,”he said.
Governor Bello said the state had done all that was within its powers to end banditry but they (bandits), were becoming more daring. They kidnapped about 40 passengers who were on their way to Minna but luckily, we have been able to rescue only 8’.
The Governor said the situation across the country, Niger state in particular,was is getting out of hand and needed urgent attention.
He said his administration was weighing several options to check the trend which according to him could only be possible with federal governemnt’s intervention.
Bello, however, said that his administration was not considering paying ransom to the bandits to rescue their victims, adding that “paying them ransom is for them to acquire more arms for their attacks on innocent citizens.”
He said plans were underway to review operations of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) for their safety.
The Governor who however said the state had evolved a number of strategies which it deployed to rescue some of the captives, said all that the state required was federal government’s backing to flush out the bandits terrorising communities; killinf, maiming and rendering thousands hmeless’.
“Farmers can no longer go to their farms, the number of persons at the Internally Displaced Persons camp is increasing, we are indeed in a helpless situation in Niger state”, Governor Bello lamented as he expressed fears that even local vigilantes are no match for the armed bandits.
While praying that God grarnt the souls of all those who lost their lives due to the activities of the armed bandits eternal rest, Governor Bello solicited for the support of all Nigerlites to provide useful information on how to end terrorist activities in Niger state.
