Niger State Government is to sponsor the education of the children of members of Niger State Chapter of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN) who died m in combating bandits in the state
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello disclosed this in Kontagora when he interacted with officials and members of the group.
He commended the renewed efforts of the Vigilantes in the state for taking the fight to the hideouts of the bandits, because, according to him, it’s a right step in the right direction.
He decried how some people have turned themselves into informants for bandits and emphasised the need for the informants and sponsors to face the same fate as bandits
He directed that the data of those killed by the bandits should be profiled and forwarded to him through the Ministry of Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs and that a census of all the vigilantes in the state should be carried out to enable government provide them with a stipend to further boost their morale.
Sani-Bello advised the Vigilantes to channel their issues regarding their work through the Ministry of Local Government, and assured that despite the bad economy, government will continue to support them because the security of lives and property remained paramount to government.
He announced that the sum of N260 Million has been approved for the Vigilantes, noting that the provision of logistical support such as motorcycles, cars and firearms have become mandatory so as to equip them to be able to confront the armed bandits.
Vice-Chairman of Kontagora local Government Council, Aliyu Ibrahim Makiga, who doubles as the Chairman of the voluntary organisation in Kontagora, appreciated the continued support of the state government which he said has assisted them with the wherewithal to confront the bandits.
Makiga disclosed that the group has evolved new strategies of confronting bandits
He said the group is getting maximum cooperation from the people stressing that the security outfit will not sit idly by and watch their lives and livelihood taken away from them.
Chairmen of Kontagora, Rijau, Mashegu, Mariga and Magama, who were part of the interaction, pledged their full support and cooperation towards fighting banditry in theirt areas.