Banditry: Only 4,000 policemen in Niger instead of 14,000, Gov. Sani-Bello laments
Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger has called on the President Muhammadu Buhari regime to recruit more Nigerians into the country’s security forces as bandits ravage the northern state.
Mr. Sani-Bello lamented that the Buhari regime only provided his state with 4,000 police officers instead of the 14,000 required, the Voice of Nigeria reported.
The governor stated this while receiving a delegation of the National Assembly on Monday, following the latest abduction of schoolchildren and civil servants in Niger.
Mr. Sani-Bello blamed the field day enjoyed by bandits in the state on the shortage of security operatives, adding that the country’s security forces had become overwhelmed.
He also pointed out the need for security forces to adopt technology to manage the country’s security situation effectively.’
“The strength of the Nigerian police in Niger state as a whole is not more than 4,000 as against 14,000, and that makes it difficult for effective coverage of the entire state,” Mr. Sani-Bello said.
“I hope we can work together to support the federal government so that it can do the needful in statuary budget provision to acquire the necessary equipment needed for security operations.”
Bandits had this month stormed Government Science College, Kagara, kidnapping students, staff, and visitors.
Armed bandits had earlier abducted 53 passengers of the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA) in Rijau. They were released after one week in captivity.
Senator Sa’abi Abdullahi, the chief whip of the senate, who led the National Assembly’s delegation to Niger, said the bandits’ activities in recent weeks shook the foundation of the state.
He suggested that a thorough examination be carried out on the country’s security challenges to identify the problems.
“The incidents in the last few weeks have no doubt shook the foundation of the state, and the period calls for prayers. It calls for very strong introspection so that we can actually identify the problems and find a lasting solution to them,” Mr. Abdullahi pointed out.
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