The Governor of Niger State, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, on Monday banned every unregistered vehicle, declaring that anyone without registration numbers will henceforth be treated as kidnappers.
While presenting 120 motorcycles and 12 Hilux vans to local Vigilante groups, Sani that the state will explore new strategies to tackle the menace, which has caused so much hardship.
Also, the Governor in company of security agents addressed the media at the Government House on effort in tackling kidnapping, banditry and other insecurity challenges.
He said: “It has become absolutely necessary for us to put an end to these attacks.
“We have noticed that there is a wide gap between the Government and the general public, especially the affected communities.
“I am not inclined to say everything here so that it’s not counterproductive because reports from various security outfits in the state have it that apart from four Local Government Areas, other parts of the state are calm.”
Sani however disclosed that “incidents of attacks have caused major upsets in the state,” but that the Government is providing logistics to ensure the activities of these forces are dismissed.
He said: “We have supported security agencies, but we are still faced with challenges.
“We are restructuring the local vigilante.
“The bandits are very sophisticated so much that they have informants amongst us, even in this room.
“They move with the assistance of some people who give them information about security strategies.
“Nobody is happy about what is happening.
“It is time for us all to come together.
“These bandits have ears everywhere.
“After President Muhammadu Buhari sent us the best of equipments, but we cannot catch them again because they have been informed by some persons who don’t mean well.
“We are trying to use the vigilante groups to assist us.
“We will restrategise because the social media has exposed efforts by the government and security agencies.
“All the codes and efforts in place will be changed now.”
The Governor further assured that there are plans to ensure peace building and that Internally Displaced Persons return to their communities.
While presenting the vehicles to members of the Vigilante groups, Governor Bello said: “I know you don’t have AK47 or sophisticated weapons, but I know you are all well prepared.”
He told the vigilantes: “These vehicles will assist you.
“For now, we are giving these to Mariga, Munya, Rafi and Shiroro LGAs, which are the affected areas.
“Other LGAs will get very soon.”
The meeting had in attendance representatives of the Army, Air Force, Commissioner of Police, Department of State Services, Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, Local Vigilante, Chief of Staff to the Governor, Secretary to the State Government, Chairmen of the four LGAs and other security outfits.
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