From John Adams, Minna
Niger State Governor, Umaru Mohammed Bago, has read the riot act to criminals to steer clear of the state, as he ordered security agencies to shoot on sight any criminal element troubling the state.
Bago announced some drastic measures towards addressing the growing levels of thuggery and other forms of criminality in Minna, the state capital, ordering security agents to shoot upon sighting any thug found to be carrying a weapon.
He also ordered the state’s urban development board to demolish any house within Minna found to be harbouring criminals and to arrest the landlord.
Speaking shortly after a security meeting yesterday, the governor equally announced restrictions on the movement of commercial tricycles and motorcycles in Minna, between 6pm and 6am, with immediate effect.
The security meeting at Government House council chambers had in attendance all heads of security agencies in the state, critical stakeholders, traditional title holders in Minna Emirate and members of local vigilance groups.
He said the government had no choice than to take some drastic measures towards addressing the growing insecurity in the state, especially Minna, the capital, stressing that he would not sit back and watch criminals continue to perpetrate evil in the state.
Bago pointed out that the primary responsibility of every government was to ensure the security of lives and properties of the citizenry and, therefore, warned district, village and ward heads to always ensure proper documentation of people they harbour in their domains.
“Any house found to be harbouring criminals will be demolished, while buildings where hard drugs are sold will also be destroyed and the landlord arrested,” the governor said.
He directed the security agencies to clamp down on criminals and destroy their hideouts, adding that “any attempt to harass the security agents is an attempt to harass the government.”
“We will come with the full power of government and descend on violators of the law. Niger State is not for criminals, it is not for useless people. If you don’t know how to take care of your children, we will take care of them for you,” he warned.
The governor’s action is not unconnected with the recent escalation of thuggery and youth restiveness in the state, especially Minna, with over 30 people killed by some criminals disguising as thugs in the last four months.
The latest was the killing of a driver with one of the commercial banks in Minna identified as Amore Mohammed on Sunday night by some suspected thugs at the Fadipe area of Minna, the state capital.