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From John Adams Minna
The Niger State government has explained why it could not release the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles procured since 2024 at the peak of security challenges in parts of the state to security agencies in the state.
The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barrister Morice Magaji while briefing newsmen in Minna on the three years anniversary of the present administration in the state, said lack of maintenance associated with the equipment in the past informed the decision of the government not release the important vehicles to the security agencies.
In the heat of the Recall that following the escalation of activities of bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements in the state, the government procured about nine armored personnel carrier vehicles with the sole aim of assisting the security agents take the battle to the criminals hideout.
Almost three years after they were procured, these vehicles have remained in government houses and have even formed parts of the governor’s convoy each time he travels to the local communities.
The immediate past administration had refurbished some old armored vehicles following complaints from security agencies as one of the reasons hindering their operations, but all broke down almost immediately.
However, the commissioner disclosed that the vehicles are only being deployed for operation when necessary or when the need arises.
His words: “Previous experience has shown that maintenance of these vehicles has always been a problem. That is why the government is keeping them.
“However these vehicles are adequately deployed anytime the need arises. The government is doing just that, not that they are abandoned,” he explained.
On the achievements recorded in the last three years in the area of security, the commissioner revealed that the government had identified critical gaps in community trust and information sharing as key challenges in the fight against insecurity in the past.
“One of the major challenges remains the issue of informants who compromise intelligence or sell out their communities, thereby weakening security operations and eroding public confidence.”
Magaji explained that the administration has responded by building a structured framework to restore trust between citizens and security agencies, with emphasis on confidentiality and the protection of shared intelligence.
The commissioner added: “We also had to assure our communities that any information they give us will be treated as confidential, so we can get more intelligence and work better with security agencies.”
Magaji pointed out that, under the directive of the governor, the state has adopted a proactive security posture aimed at anticipating threats and ensuring it remains ahead of emerging security risks.
He disclosed that a standing security committee comprising relevant agencies has been established and members meet regularly to assess challenges and coordinate responses across the state.
The commissioner further stated that traditional institutions have been fully integrated into the security architecture as the first line of intelligence gathering, while community advocacy has been intensified to encourage residents to report suspicious activities such as unusual stockpiling of food items, fuel, and other essentials.
