Boko Haram terrorists are effectively in control of at least five communities in two local government areas of Niger State, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Ahmed Matane, has disclosed.
Matane told journalists in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Monday that the Boko Haram insurgents are fully in charge in Hanawanka, Madaka in Rafi LGA; and Kurebe, Gussau, Farina Kuka in Shiroro LGA, forcing the rural dwellers to migrate to safer grounds.
He explained that the terrorists move freely in the effected areas, wielding sophisticated and menacing weapons.
Matane said the state has already notified security agencies for proper urgent security measures.
He said the government has spent over N2 billion to support security agencies in the ongoing fight against banditry, kidnapping and cattle rustling in the state, in the last two years.
“We will continue to accord priority attention to the welfare of security personnel deployed to enable them to wipe out all those involved in the illegal acts for peace, progress and political stability to thrive,” he said.
Mr Matane said that the money was spent on the purchase of Hilux patrol vans, patrol motorcycles and payment of allowances to security personnel deployed to combat the security challenges in parts of the state.
He said that the state government would continue to give the security agencies the support they required to enable them to perform optimally.
He said that already the state government alongside the security agencies had mapped out a comprehensive security network that would see to the arrest and prosecution of all those involved in crimes and criminalities in the state.
“We are appealing to residents of the state to volunteer reliable information on movements of bad characters to the nearest security outfits for necessary action.
“We have also reached out to traditional and religious leaders and other stakeholders and urged them to mobilise residents to support the efforts of the government in the ongoing fight against criminal elements,” the SSG said.
Mr Matane assured that the state government in partnership with the security agencies, would continue to intensify efforts to end all the security challenges confronting the state.
▪︎ Additional reports by NAN