Niger State Governor Umaru Bago has declared a state of emergency over insecurity in the state following a resurgence of violent activities by thugs in the state capital, Minna.
Speaking at a Sallah Durba festival organized by former Governor Babangida Aliyu on his farm in Minna, Bago stated that he had directed security personnel to shoot on sight any thug threatening the peace within the state.
The governor’s directive comes in response to recent violent incidents, including the deaths of two people and injuries to several others on Friday night in Minna.
“I declare a state of emergency and a shoot-on-sight order on any thug found within the metropolis and the state,” Bago said. “We have zero tolerance for insecurity and thuggery. We have also closed the sites of those artisan miners causing this menace within the state. Anyone found there will be shot to death. Those who sponsor them will also be dealt with decisively.”
Minna Emirate suspended its annual traditional Sallah Durba for the past seven years due to insecurity, prompting residents and admirers of the festival to rely on the self-organized Durba by Aliyu.
However, following a period of relative calm, violent activities resurfaced on Friday in Minna, which is known to be home to violent gangs such as Yandaba, resulting in the deaths of two people and injuries to several others.
Chanchaga Local Government Chairman Aminu Ladan linked the recent crisis to the activities of miners but confirmed that normalcy had since been restored.
He noted that the violent activities of thugs had temporarily forced businesses to close and disrupted the usual festivities associated with the annual festival.
Former Governor Babangida Aliyu, commenting on the situation, expressed support for the governor’s approach to addressing the problem. He emphasized the need to deal decisively with the perpetrators and those who sponsor them, suggesting that such actions would drive criminals out of town.
