- Calls for the public support
From John Adams Minna
The Niger-South Senior Stakeholders’ Forum (NSSF) has thrown it weight behind the recent security measures announced by the state governor Umaru Mohammed Bago with a view to address the incidences of thuggery and youth restiveness in the state.
The forum in a statement in Minna on Tuesday after its inaugural Executive Committee meeting and signed by the secretary general, Dr. Mohammed Santuraki (Santurakin Nupe) said that the decision by the governor to take some proactive measures towards addressing the high level of thuggery and youths restiveness in the state, especially Minna the state capital is a welcome development.
The inaugural meeting of the forum which was chaired by Alhaji Ibrahim Liman, (Wazirin Baro/Zannan Agaie) called on parents, political leaders, traditional leaders and other critical stakeholders in the state to support the government efforts towards addressing all forming of criminalities in the state.
It could be recalled that the governor, worried by the rising cases of thuggery in Minna the state capital, announced some drastic measures towards addressing menace, ordering the security agents to shoot at sight any thug found to be carrying weapon.
He also ordered the state urban development board to demolish any house within Minna found to be harbouring criminals and the landlord arrested.
The governor gave the order after an expanded security meeting in Minna where he equally announced the restrictions in the movement of commercial tricycle and motorcycles in Minna between the hours of 6:00pm to 6:00am with immediate effect.
The forum believes that the issues of thuggery and youths restiveness in the state has assumed a different dimension in recent time which has resulted in the killing of innocent people by some criminals gangs disguising as thugs, and therefore expressed optimism that the measures taken so far by the government will bring the situation under control.
NSSF also expressed full support for the Governor, in his infrastructural development strides and urged him to prioritize the issue of security to ensure adequate protection of lives and properties in the state
The forum in the statement further noted that the recent security measures by the governor aimed at improving public order and safety has won him the confidence of the people, adding that “governance is about the protection of the lives and properties of the citizens”.
The forum noted with regret that Minna, once a city of peace and harmony, had been plagued by fear due to the activities of street thugs and miscreants, and there commended the governor for taking decisive action to restore the state’s capital to its former glory.
“We also urge the youth to refrain from social vices and to serve as good ambassadors of the state.
“Furthermore, the Forum advocates for collaboration among all stakeholders, including parents and community leaders, to support the Niger State government’s efforts in addressing these pressing issues.”
It promised to unveil plans for constructive engagements with both the Federal and State Governments and non-governmental organizations regarding the actualization of some of the critical projects and programmes in our Zone and Niger State at large.