How Niger governor, entourage missed way, strayed into terrorists’ enclave
Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, and his convoy reportedly lost their way on Sunday during a tour, inadvertently entering a terrorists’ enclave located between Igade in Mashegu Local Government Area and Bangi in Mariga Local Government Area.
According to reports, the governor and his entourage had been visiting local communities across Niger North Senatorial District since last week to inspect ongoing projects, including a five-kilometre road in Igade.
While addressing residents in the area, Governor Bago announced plans to extend the road to Mariga Local Government Area and pledged to rehabilitate health centres within the axis to improve access to essential healthcare services.
However, sources revealed that as the governor and his team were returning to Kontagora, they lost their way and ended up near the Bangi-Igade axis, an area reportedly controlled by bandits.
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Realising the danger, security operatives in the convoy immediately advised a retreat. While attempting to turn back and find an alternative route, the convoy came under fire from the bandits.
“They missed their way and found themselves around the Bangi and Igade axis, an area controlled by bandits. Security operatives quickly observed the risk and advised the convoy to withdraw. It was during the retreat that the bandits fired at them,” a source disclosed.
The security team reportedly overpowered the attackers, killing some of the bandits while others fled into the forest.
However, the Niger State Government has denied the incident, describing the reports as false. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter) by Ibrahim Bologi, Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, the government stated that the governor’s tour across the Niger North Senatorial District had been smooth and peaceful.
“The convoy of the Governor has been having a smooth tour of ongoing projects across Niger North Senatorial District since last week. The governor’s tour has been peaceful with no incident of any attack or threat to his safety or that of his team,” Bologi wrote.
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