No Deals with Bandits: Governor Bago Declares War on Kidnappers

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of Niger State has drawn a firm line against banditry, declaring that his administration will never negotiate with criminals or pay ransom for kidnapped victims. The governor urged residents to take a stand and defend their communities from relentless attacks.

During a visit to Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas, which were recently hit by bandit assaults in Kontagora axis, Governor Bago said the era of paying ransom was over, stressing that such actions only embolden kidnappers and turn the crime into a profitable enterprise.

“The state has reached a point where the people must stand up and defend themselves because ransom will only turn kidnapping into a thriving business,” Bago said. “I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. The moment we start paying, they will open shop on our heads and continue kidnapping people. The situation has reached a state of war that requires collective resistance.”

He urged communities to unite in self-defense, insisting that the constitution guarantees every citizen the right to protect their lives and property. “We are surrounded by enemies, but we will not give up. The constitution gives us the right to defend our lives and property, and we will do just that. There is no going back,” he vowed.

Describing the recurring attacks as “embarrassing and unacceptable,” the governor announced plans to recruit and train 10,000 members into the Joint Task Force (JTF) to strengthen local security and restore peace across Niger State.

In a related move, Governor Bago also declared a total ban on all mining activities across Zone C, which includes eight local government areas: Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara.

According to him, illegal mining has become one of the major triggers of insecurity in the state, with miners often gaining unrestricted access to forests while residents suffer repeated attacks.

“It is suspicious that miners can enter the forests freely, yet the bandits don’t touch them,” he noted. “I have now ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining activities.”

Governor Bago assured victims of recent attacks that his administration would not abandon them. He promised compensation for families of those killed, medical care for the injured, and support for individuals who lost their livelihoods during the invasions.

With this tough stance, the Niger State government appears set to confront the twin menace of banditry and illegal mining head-on, signaling what could be a new phase in the state’s fight for peace and security