Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has ruled out negotiating with armed bandits or paying ransom for kidnapped victims, urging residents to defend themselves against escalating attacks in the north-central state.
Bago made the comments during a visit to Rijau and Magama local government areas, where several communities were recently attacked in the Kontagora axis.
“The state has reached a point where the people must stand up and defend themselves,” Bago said. “I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. Paying ransom will only make kidnapping a business.”
Describing the insecurity as “a state of war,” the governor said his administration plans to recruit and train 10,000 members of the Joint Task Force (JTF) to help restore peace across the state.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Aisha Wakaso, Bago also announced a total ban on mining activities across Zone C, which covers eight local government areas including Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu and Agwara.
“Illegal mining has become one of the major drivers of insecurity,” he said. “It is suspicious that miners can enter forest areas freely, yet bandits don’t touch them. I have ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest anyone found mining.”
Bago described the frequent invasions of communities and displacement of residents as “embarrassing and unacceptable,” and pledged government support for victims, including compensation for families of the dead, treatment for the injured, and assistance for those who lost their livelihoods.