Insecurity: Niger Gov’t evolves fresh strategies to flush out criminals
The Niger State Government has said the terrorists who invaded some communities in Wushishi, Mashegun and Lavun Local government areas of the state have been enclosed by security operatives around the flanks of River Kaduna.
This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar, shortly after an emergency security meeting chaired by Governor Abubakar Sani Bello at the government house, Minna.
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The Commissioner explained that eight of the gunmen were killed and others rounded up after the heavy security presence along Wushishi routes forced them to move through Lavun and Mashegu local government areas attacking some communities.
“The conventional and non-conventional security operatives engaged the bandits during which eight were killed.
“The criminals were believed to have moved over to Wushishi local government where they attacked communities like Akere, and the rest and then moved over knowing that there are security measures put in place in the routes. They moved to Lavun local government, from there, they touched a part of Kutigi the headquarters of the local government operating within the flanks of River Kaduna axis”, he explained.
He said security personnel have been fully mobilised and are being supported by Airstrikes to ensure that the criminals are neutralised.
The Commissioner, however, called on the public to manage information to ensure success, pointing out that “in a period like this, there are anxieties and panicking, it is natural but the government will always respond to credible information appropriately”.
On the recent bomb explosion in Galadiman Kogo, Mr Umar said the state government was still expecting reports from the Nigerian Police but said no life was lost in the incident.
He reassured the people that the state government is doing everything possible using the kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to ensure that peace returns to the state.
“Criminals are in our space, it is our responsibility to flush them out and we are not relenting, we are determined to do that.
“The security operatives and community members are also more committed now to see that these criminals are wiped out”, he said.
The Commissioner who said he cannot make public their tactical operations stressed that the government is carrying out massive operations to protect lives and property as well as ensure the safe return of the Internally Displaced Persons to their communities, even as some in Kontagora have started returning.
