I’ll not pay ransom to bandits – Gov Bago urges Niger residents to defend themselves

Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has declared thathe will neither negotiate with bandits nor pay ransom for kidnapped victims inthe state. He also urged the people to stand up and defend themselves. Bago made the statement during a condolence visit to thepeople of Rijau and Magama local government areas, whose communities wererecently attacked by bandits in Kontagora. He emphasised that paying ransom would only encourage morekidnappings and worsen insecurity in the state. According to him, “The state has reached a point where thepeople must stand up and defend themselves. I will not negotiate with bandits.I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on ourheads and keep kidnapping people.” He insisted that the Constitution has given citizens theright to protect their lives and property, stating that he would take allnecessary steps to fulfil this duty. “We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up. TheConstitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we willdo just that. There is no going back,” the governor maintained. Bago further declared that it is embarrassing andunacceptable that communities could be invaded and their residents turned intointernally displaced persons. The governor described the situation as a “state of war”while calling for collective resistance by everyone. To enhance security, Bago announced plans to recruit andtrain 10,000 members for the joint task force and declared a total ban onmining in Zone C of the state, citing illegal mining as a major driver ofinsecurity. He also pledged to support victims of the recent attacks,including compensation for families of those killed, medical treatment for theinjured, and assistance for those who lost their livelihoods.

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