The people of Tunga Ba’ari, Huldo Addogum Mallam and Maza kaka communities of Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State have called on the state government to beef up security in the areas to help in curtailing the activities of armed bandits.
The residents made the call in an interview during an on-the-spot assessment by the Niger State Governor, Alh Abubakar Sani Bello, to the communities in the council.
Many of them expressed concern and fear over the increasing attacks by bandits on their villages that have left many dead, scores kidnapped and others receiving medical attention in various hospitals from injuries within and outside the state.
One of the residents of Addogun Mallam, Mustapha Musa, told DAILY POST that they, along with their family members, are living in constant fear of possible attacks by gunmen.
Mohammadu Yahaya of Maza-Kuka said, “since the attacks started, we have been living in fear. But with the visit of the governor, we have hope that more security personnel would be engaged to help in tackling the situation”.
Speaking to people of the affected communities, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello decried the killing of worshippers in the Tunga Ba’ari community last week, insisting that the act was unacceptable and condemnable.
He assured the people that adequate measures are being taken to prevent reoccurrence, adding that the government will not rest on its oars in protecting the lives and properties of the people of the state.
Bello, however, noted that the attacks cannot thrive without the help of insiders in the communities, hence the need to ensure that people with questionable characters are fished out to face the wrath of the law.
On the purpose of his visit, he told the people, “I decided to come and see what has happened, get first-hand information so that we can plan how to stop such things from happening further. It is unfortunate that people are being attacked while saying their prayers early in the morning.
“I understand that it is the work of bandits probably with the connivance of some locals. So I call on the community members to pay attention to their neighbours and to be very observant of what is going on around them”.
Earlier, the Council Chairman of Mashegu, Alh. Alhassan Isah Mazakuka, told the governor that a total of 17 people were killed, 19 were kidnapped and nine were injured at Ba’ari while praying in the mosque last week.
Mazakuka explained that some of the victims who sustained injuries in the attack are receiving medical attention at the General Hospital Kontagora and others referred to Kebbi State for treatment.
Also, the Ward Head of Tunga Ba’ari Alh. Garba Aliyu, decried the attack on communities by bandits while calling on the government to empower the vigilantes more due to the increasing state of insecurity that pervades the area.