Niger State governor bago vows not to negotiate with bandits
Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State has issued a stern declaration that his administration will neither negotiate with armed bandits nor pay ransom for kidnapped victims in the state. He made this position known during a visit to the communities of Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas, which recently suffered violent attacks by bandits in the Kontagora region.
According to Governor Bago, the security situation has degenerated to such an extent that every citizen must be prepared to defend their life and property. He stated that paying ransom would effectively turn kidnapping into a thriving business and warned that once ransom payments start, the bandits would “open shop” on the people’s heads and continue their criminal activities unabated.
The governor described the current state of affairs as akin to a state of war that demands collective action and resistance. He emphasized that under the constitution, every citizen has the right to defend their lives and property, and that his administration will wield all powers necessary to protect constituents. “We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up,” he declared.
In a move aimed at improving security in the region, Governor Bago announced that his government will recruit and train 10,000 personnel into a state-backed Joint Task Force (JTF) to assist in reclaiming areas overrun by bandits. He also ordered a total ban on all mining activities within Zone C of the state—which covers eight Local Government Areas (Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu and Agwara)—arguing that illegal mining has become a major driver of insecurity, allowing miners to access forest zones while residents suffer repeated attacks.
For victims of recent attacks, the governor pledged immediate support, including compensation for families of the deceased, medical treatment for the injured, and assistance for those who lost their sources of livelihood. He described the frequent invasions of communities and displacement of residents as “embarrassing and unacceptable.”
This hard-line approach marked by zero negotiation with criminal elements and emphasis on community self-defence signals a significant shift in the state’s security policy. The governor’s stance contrasts with some previous efforts elsewhere which involved dialogues or ransom payments to secure the release of kidnapped victims. Usage of mining bans and mass recruitment into security forces reflect a layered strategy targeting both symptoms and root-causes of the insecurity.
