‘Niger’s Kainji Lake Park manned by security forces to dislodge bandits’

Maurice Bello Magaji, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, says that a combined team of security operatives has been deployed to the Kainji Lake National Park to flush out armed bandits terrorising communities in Borgu, Agwara and other neighbouring areas of the State.

Speaking with journalists in his Office in Minna, Magaji said the State Government had intensified security operations in the affected areas to deny criminal elements safe havens and restore peace to the communities.

According to him, the government is fully on top of the situation and is taking decisive measures to make the areas uninhabitable for bandits and other criminal elements responsible for the persistent attacks on residents.

The commissioner reaffirmed the commitment of the Niger State Government to protecting lives and property across Borgu, Agwara and surrounding communities, noting that proactive security strategies had been put in place to curb criminal activities.

“We are not relenting in our efforts to secure Borgu and other security-challenged communities in the state. We have taken proactive steps to ensure that these areas become no-go zones for criminal elements.

“Joint security forces have been deployed to the affected areas, and reports reaching us indicate that the criminals are no longer comfortable in their enclaves. They have been forced out of several hideouts by the ongoing operations.

“We will continue to smoke them out from their enclaves until they are completely neutralised,” Magaji added.

He attributed the successes recorded so far in the fight against banditry to the cooperation and support of local communities, particularly through the provision of credible and actionable intelligence to security agencies.

The commissioner appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders and residents to sustain their support for security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious movements and unfamiliar persons within their communities.

Timely and reliable information, he said, remains critical to ongoing efforts aimed at making the operating environment hostile to criminal elements.

Magaji further assured residents that the State Government would continue to provide security agencies with the necessary logistical support to enhance their operations and ensure the safety of citizens.

Commenting on reports that some villagers allegedly gave bandits large sums of money to purchase food items, the commissioner pointed out that the development was an indication that the government’s security measures were yielding results.

“Yes, we are aware of the reports. It is evidence that the pressure mounted on them through our proactive measures is beginning to take its toll. They are becoming increasingly uncomfortable in their hideouts,” he stated.

He stressed that the government, in collaboration with security agencies, would continue to deploy all available security strategies to eliminate banditry and other forms of criminality across the state.

“We are determined to ensure that Niger State is no longer conducive for bandits and their criminal operations. With sustained intelligence gathering and support from residents, we are confident that we can make Niger State free from banditry, especially for our farming communities,” he said.