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Tag: Governor Bello

  • Banditry: Gov Bello bans sale of motorcycles in Niger State

    Banditry: Gov Bello bans sale of motorcycles in Niger State

    Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, has ordered the immediate ban on the sale of motorcycles across the state.

    This follows the incessant security challenges in parts of the state, in addition to the demands for motorcycles as ransom by bandits and kidnappers in recent times.

    The Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, announced the ban in a statement on Saturday in Minna, the state capital.

    He explained that the state government announced the additional measure to eradicate the activities of criminals and tackle bandits and kidnappers who have continued to attack innocent residents in the state.

    The government, Matane stated, has condemned in strong terms the degree of carnage and pandemonium bandits and kidnappers have caused in some parts of the state and reiterated its continued determination to rid the state of any security threat.

    “Government is aware of the inconveniences the measure would cause the people, but the decision was taken in the overall interest of the state and appeals to the dealers of motorcycles across the state to cooperate with the directive,” he said.

    The SSG also called on the people of the state to cooperate with the security agencies on the measures put in place to put an end to the activities of criminal elements, saying it was for the benefit of all and sundry.

    He said the government has also ordered security agencies in the state to ensure effective and strict compliance and enforcement of the ban.

    Similarly, Matane reaffirmed that the activities of commercial motorcycle riders, popularly known as okada or Kabu-Kabu in Niger, as well as the operation of illegal garages, remained banned in Minna metropolis and its environs.

    The ban comes after the state government restricted the movement of all motorcycles from 6pm to 6am – a directive that is still in force.

  • Insecurity: Niger Governor goes spiritual, holds special prayers

    Insecurity: Niger Governor goes spiritual, holds special prayers

    Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, and some stakeholders in the state have held a special prayer for peace across the eight emirates in the state.

    The prayer organised to seek God’s intervention to end insecurity in Niger held on Sunday at the Central Mosque in Minna, the state capital.

    Shortly after the prayer, Governor Bello reiterated the need for the people not to relent in fervent prayers to God.

    He, however, gave an assurance that the government at the federal and state levels would not leave any stone unturned towards ending the security challenges in the state.

    The governor noted that significant progress has been made towards restoring normalcy to the troubled areas, stating that the prayer session would continue even after the Ramadan fast.

    “We encourage everyone, every stakeholder, every person to support the effort of the state and Federal Government with prayers and with God, I believe anything is possible,” he said.

    On his part, the Director-General of Religious Affairs in Niger, Umar Farouq, believes the insecurity in the state requires divine intervention.

    He said it was time for people of the state to come together to ask God for mercy and be of good conduct.

    Farouq, who is also the Secretary of Niger State Imam Forum, called on the criminals to repent from their act, surrender their weapons, and return to God.

    He stressed that engaging in criminal activities was against the teachings of Islam, especially in a situation where innocent people were the ones being targeted.

    The special prayer led by the Chief Imam of Minna Central Mosque, Ibrahim Fari, also featured recitation of some verses from the Holy Qur’an.

    Some of the other dignitaries in attendance included top government officials, traditional leaders, Islamic clerics, and other Muslim faithful in the state.

  • Banditry: Niger State residents desert 50 villages in five LGAs – Governor Bello

    Banditry: Niger State residents desert 50 villages in five LGAs – Governor Bello

    Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger, has disclosed that no fewer than 50 villages in five Local Government Areas of the state have been deserted due bandits’ attacks.

    The governor made the disclosure on Monday in Minna while opening a two-day training workshop for local government directors and revenue officers.

    The workshop has the theme: ‘Strategies for Enhancing Internally Generated Revenue of Local Governments in Niger State.’

    It was organised by the state Local Government Service Commission to explore ways of generating more revenue to tackle development challenges including security and refugee problems.

    “Presently, we have over 3,000 internally displaced persons camping in Minna, aside the ones we have in local government areas. Where do we get the resources to take care of them?

    “It is time we cut down on our expenditure, come together to see how we can address issues of ghost workers and those looting the state of its resources,” he said.

    He warned that the government would not hesitate to do away with those who were not adding value to the system.

    Bello noted that the workshop was coming at a time when nations and the country were witnessing drastic fall in revenue earnings because of the COVID-19 and insecurity.

    According to him, the present revenue being generated cannot sustain the state’s developmental aspirations.

    He therefore said government must work within the law to augment the dwindling revenue collection to finance its activities.

    Bello stressed that the state would no longer continue to borrow, just to survive.

    The governor particularly said that the government would not sustain the situation in most local governments who cannot survive without augmentation from others because of ghost workers.

    He advised the participants to pay attention and contribute to developing strategies of enhancing IGR at local government levels.

    Earlier, Alhaji Mohammed Dabban, Chairman of the Commission, said there was increased pressure for government officials to be accountable in management of finances.

    He called on participants to learn from the vast experience of the resource persons to improve revenue collection and their performance.

    In his welcome address, Mr Nuhu Ngaski, Permanent Secretary of the commission said the workshop was to expose the participants to the revenue profile of each local government council in the state.

    Malam Haruna Yahaya, a resource person, said the workshop was to ascertain the revenue profile of local councils and develop comprehensive strategies to enhance generation.

    He said that the objective was also to promote transparency and accountability.

  • Gunmen invade Niger communities; kidnap 20, Governor Bello reacts

    Gunmen invade Niger communities; kidnap 20, Governor Bello reacts

    No fewer than 20 people have been abducted and scores of others injured by gunmen who attacked Maitumbi and Kuchi communities in Bosso and Munya Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Niger State.

    The Chairman of Bosso LGA, Abubakar Gomna, confirmed the incident in Maitumbi on Monday, saying the attack lasted almost two hours.

    He disclosed that armed men numbering over 30 attacked the community at about 11:30pm on Sunday and opened fire on some residents.

    “The gunmen came in their numbers and started shooting sporadically. Some members of the vigilante group tried to stop them, but they overpowered the vigilantes.

    “Some of the vigilantes were shot but are currently receiving treatment,” Gomna narrated.

    He noted that the abductors have demanded a ransom of five million naira for each of the victims to be released when they contacted their families.

    During the attack on Kuchi community in Munya LGA, at least five persons were said to have been injured, with at least 17 locals abducted.

    Among those kidnapped were the father and mother of a former chairman of the local government, Mallam Yahuza.

    The state governor, Abubakar Bello, in his reaction to the incidents condemned the attack on the communities.

    In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, the governor said he was concerned about the incessant attacks on innocent citizens by bandits.

    He decried what he described as the incessant and nefarious activities of the gunmen and urged residents in the affected local governments to remain calm and be supportive of the government’s efforts aimed at identifying and dislodging the criminals.

    According to the governor, the recent meeting of the North Central State Governors held in Makurdi, Benue State provided ideas and offered a new approach in dealing with the issue of banditry in the region.

    He stressed that the Federal Government and authorities in the states were doing their best to restore order in the affected areas.

    Governor Bello also assured the residents of his administration’s relentless support to the security agencies in the state.

    He, however, urged them to play their part through collaborative intelligence sharing in order to defeat the bandits disturbing the peace in Niger.

    The governor directed the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide medical assistance and relief to the injured, as well as those taking refuge at the Maitumbi Primary School in Bosso LGA.