Niger State Governor seeks traditional rulers engagement to fight banditry
Abdul Mohammed Isa, Niger state
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State in North central Nigeria has advised on the need for Local government Chairmen in the state to work closely with traditional rulers for a better and secured State.
Governor Sani Bello who gave the advice in Minna the state capital when the local government chairmen visited him to commiserate with the State government on the recent security challenges confronting the state.
He explained that having a close and cordial relationship with the traditional rulers would allow for proper scrutiny of strangers and those with questionable characters within their councils.
The Governor added that there is the need for frequent security meetings within various local government areas as security challenges is on the increase.
“In recent times we have experienced a lot of security problems. I would like to draw your attention as council chairmen that the situation is serious.”
“I would advise that you have close contact with the traditional rulers within your various local governments so that you can pick out men and woman of questionable character before it gets too late,” he said.
The Governor further enjoined them to monitor movements of people within their local governments and get records of those coming in as well as visitors lodging in hotels within their various local governments.
The Governor who noted that the State had been experiencing banditry attacks within six local governments, called for vigilance, adding that the vigilantes will be strengthened to compliment the efforts of the security agencies in the state.
Earlier, Chairman Chanchaga Local Government Council who is also the ALGON Chairman Alhaji Ibrahim Abubakar while speaking on behalf of the chairmen said they are there to commiserate with the Niger State Government over the recent security challenges.
Alh. Abubakar, asked the state government to equip the vigilantes to enable them perform their duties effectively.
Dominica Nwabufo
