Following the recent attacks by bandits in Niger State, Governor Abubakar Bello has tasked residents of the state, especially those in Mashegu Local Government Area to be vigilant and observant of the activities in their neighbourhood.
The governor said this on Monday during his visit to the community. He explained that the visit was aimed at obtaining information on the insecurity incidents to enable the government to restrategise and plan how to prevent reoccurrence.
“I decided to come and see what has happened, get first-hand information so that we can plan how to stop such things from happening going forward. It is unfortunate that people are being attacked while saying their prayers early in the morning,” Governor Bello said.
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The governor also visited Tugan Ba’are, Adogon Malam, and Mazakuka communities and empathised with them on the insecurity situation. He stressed the need for them to make peace and be on the watch out for people with questionable character amongst them.
Governor Bello further urged the residents to work out modalities on how to fish out bad eggs among them to assist the security agents in curtailing the situation, pointing out that there cannot be a successful attack without an insider.
“I understand that it is the work of bandits probably with the connivance of some locals. So I call on the community members to pay attention to their neighbours and to be very observant of what is going on around them,” he said.
The governor assured the people that government will not rest on its oars in evolving measures that would prevent reoccurrence.
The Council Chairman of Mashegu, Alhassan Isah Mazakuka disclosed that 17 people were killed, 19 were kidnapped and eight were injured at Ba’ari while praying in the mosque last week.
Mazakuka added that those who sustained injuries in the attack are receiving treatment at the General Hospital Kontagora while some were referred to Kebbi State for treatment.
Also, the Ward Head of Tunga Ba’are, Garba Aliyu described the incident as horrible, explaining that their men and women were taken away by bandits.
He called on the government to empower the vigilantes more, reiterating that insecurity in the area is becoming persistent.
Mazakuka, Adogon Malam, Kulho among other communities in Mashegu Local Government Area have been experiencing a series of bandit attacks that led to the death of many. Last week, scores were feared dead, some kidnapped and some others injured at Tugan Ba’are, while they were performing the morning prayers in the Mosque.
