From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
A Northern group, Arewa Think Tank (ATT) has thrown its weight behind the Niger State governor, Umar Bago, to do whatever is within the ambit of the law to rid the state of crimes and criminals.
The group said there was nothing wrong with the governor signing executive order to arrest those fermenting violence and killings in the state, and challenged whoever is criticising the governor to come up with alternative solutions to the worrisome situation.
Bago had ordered security agents to clamp down on thugs and those abetting them to disrupt public peace in Minna, the state capital where violence has become a daily occurrence.
A statement by ATT convener Muhammad Alhaji Yakubu, praised the governor for the bold move to nip in the bud violence and crisis in the power state.
“We wish to throw our weight behind Governor Umar Bago of Niger State over the executive order directing security agents to arrest people wearing dreadlocks, following a series of calls by terrorised residents of Minna to curb the worsening thuggery that has claimed the lives of many innocent people.
“It is sad and worrisome that thugs have turned the streets of Minna into a battleground, notably since Mr Bago took over leadership of the state. We therefore urge him not to look back in fighting these criminal elements by all means.
“The number of killings in the state is becoming unbearable as more than 10 people have been killed by the thugs this year, including a retired permanent secretary.”