The release of over 30 bandits by the Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has received criticism as the Peoples Democratic Party in the state blamed his actions for the incessant insecurity the state is experiencing.
The PDP, which described the move as a ploy for the bandits to reinforce, said: “He (Governor) used the peace pact as an ‘arrangee’ model of amnesty for the release of bandits.”
According to a statement signed by the State Secretary of the PDP, Suleiman Zhigun, and made available to journalists on Sunday, the PDP tasked the governor “to cut his travels and cost, stay at home to hold regular security meetings and urgently provide relieves to those affected by the menace”.
According to Zhigun: “These attacks are as a result of the truancy and jump around style of Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, who since emerging as Governor has not found it deserving, to give the security architecture a face lift, save for a few ‘tokumbo’ unserviceable Hilux vehicles bought at a cut throat prices.
“The incessant insecurity situation has led to wanton destruction of lives and property across Niger state has continued unabetted.”
Zhigun noted that the security agencies in Niger State are still battling with the brand new Nissan pick-ups donated to them five years ago by the PDP-led Governor Babangida Aliyu’s Administration, which left office in 2015.
While lamenting, Zhigun said: “The PDP finds it painful that after lives are lost, people displaced due solely to banditry and the Governor’s refusal to stay in the state to tackle the issues, the Governor comes with an ‘arrangee’ model of amnesty for bandits, when we are aware that the bandits have set up camps across the state.
“Till now, we know for sure that there are several internally displaced persons in Kagara, who were forced out of their villages in Allawa, Kukoki, Pandogari, Madaka and neighbouring villages of Rafi Local Government Area, and similar situations are in Shiroro LGA.
“In the capital city of Minna, daily killings of Commercial Motorcycle riders have become part of the city daily life.
“A few days ago a man was caught with body of a man he has removed his head and internal organs in the capital city, just this week another person was killed in Maitumbi area.”
Zhigun however advised the Governor to take issues of security seriously by giving all the security agencies support with logistics.
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