Gov. Bago Takes Hardline Stance Against Bandits, Tells Niger Residents to Defend Themselves

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has announced a decisive and uncompromising policy against criminal elements, declaring that his administration will neither engage in negotiations with bandits nor pay ransom for kidnapped victims within the state. Furthermore, the Governor issued a firm call to the populace, urging them to stand up and defend themselves against the incessant attacks.

Dependable NG reports that Governor Bago made this impactful statement during a condolence visit to the communities of Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas, which were recently subjected to violent bandit attacks near Kontagora. He vehemently stressed that paying ransom money only serves to incentivise and escalate the rate of kidnappings, thereby worsening the already dire security situation across the state. In his own words, “The state has reached a point where the people must stand up and defend themselves. I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and keep kidnapping people,” he cautioned, highlighting the need for a fundamental shift in strategy.

The Governor insisted that the Constitution provides every citizen with the right to protect their own lives and property, and he pledged to take all necessary measures to uphold this fundamental duty. “We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up. The Constitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we will do just that. There is no going back,” the Governor maintained. Declaring the current situation a “state of war,” Bago described it as both embarrassing and unacceptable that communities are being invaded, forcing residents into the status of internally displaced persons. He stressed the necessity of collective resistance from everyone to overcome the menace.

To significantly boost the state’s security apparatus, Governor Bago announced comprehensive plans to recruit and train 10,000 personnel for a joint task force, with recruitment slated to begin immediately. In a bold move targeting the root causes of insecurity, he also declared a total ban on mining activities in Zone C of the state, citing illegal mining as a major catalyst for the current security crisis. The Governor further pledged his administration’s full support for the victims of the recent attacks, which includes providing compensation for the families of those who tragically lost their lives, offering medical treatment for the injured, and granting assistance to those whose livelihoods were destroyed.