Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has called on residents to rise and defend themselves against bandit attacks, declaring that his administration will neither negotiate nor pay ransom to kidnappers.
Gov. Bago, who made the declaration during a visit to Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas, both recently hit by bandit incursions in the Kontagora axis, stressed that the era of paying ransom to criminals was over.
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“The state has reached a point where people must stand up and defend themselves because ransom will only turn kidnapping into a business,” the governor stated.
“I will not negotiate with bandits; I will not pay ransom.
“The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and continue kidnapping people.
“The situation has reached a state of war that requires collective resistance,” he said.
The governor emphasised that residents have a constitutional right to defend their lives and property, stressing that the government would not stand by while communities are repeatedly attacked.
10,000 to Join Joint Task Force
Describing the wave of attacks as “embarrassing and unacceptable”, Bago announced plans to recruit and train 10,000 personnel into the state’s Joint Task Force (JTF) to strengthen security operations and protect rural communities.
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According to a statement signed by his special adviser on print media, Aisha Wakaso, the governor also declared a total ban on all mining activities across Zone C of the state.
The affected eight local government areas include Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara.
Mining Linked to Insecurity
Bago explained that illegal mining had become a major driver of insecurity, with miners allegedly accessing forest zones without harm while ordinary citizens were being attacked.
“It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them.
“I have directed the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining activities,” he said
The governor also assured victims of recent attacks that the state government would assist them with relief materials, medical treatment for the injured, compensation for families of those killed, and support for residents who lost their means of livelihood.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.
