By Charles Pemu 
Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has adopted a hard-line stance against insecurity, vowing never to negotiate with bandits or pay ransom for kidnapped victims. Instead, the Governor declared that the state has reached a point where residents must be prepared to defend themselves against frequent attacks.
Governor Bago made the disclosure during a solidarity visit to the communities in Rijau and Magama Local Government Areas of the state, which recently suffered devastating bandit invasions in Kontagora.
“I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom,” the Governor affirmed. He argued that paying ransom only turns kidnapping into a “thriving business” that encourages further crime. Bago described the current situation as a “state of war that requires collective resistance,” noting that the constitution grants citizens the right to defend their lives and property.
Describing the frequent invasions and displacement of residents as “embarrassing and unacceptable,” Governor Bago announced plans to dramatically scale up the state’s security architecture. His administration intends to recruit and train 10,000 members for a Joint Task Force (JTF) to help restore security across Niger State.
In a related move to tackle the root causes of insecurity, the Governor declared a total ban on all mining activities across Zone C of the state. The ban covers eight local government areas: Magama, Kontagora, Rijau, Wushishi, Mariga, Borgu, Mashegu, and Agwara.
A statement released by his Special Adviser on Print Media, Aisha Wakaso, quoted the Governor as calling illegal mining a major driver of insecurity, noting it is suspicious that miners often access forest zones unharmed while residents suffer repeated attacks. He has ordered the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) to arrest anyone caught engaging in mining activities in the restricted zone.
Governor Bago assured the victims of recent attacks that the administration will provide comprehensive support, including compensation for families of the deceased, medical treatment for the injured, and assistance for those who lost their sources of livelihood.