Niger: We Won’t Negotiate With Bandits – Gov. Bello

The Niger State Governor, Abubakar Bello, on Monday vowed that his administration will not negotiate with bandits nor pay ransom for the release of kidnapped victims in the state.

He further stated that repentant bandits will be reintegrated into society and settled to live a normal life.

He said, “There will be no dialogue but any of them that repents and surrenders his weapons will be forgiven and we will compensate such bandits to live a normal life in the society.”

Bello noted that he is in Kasuwan Garba, which is one of the areas under siege by constant banditry attacks, to identify with the vigilante members for the loss of their members who were killed while confronting the criminals.

The Governor of Niger State commended the efforts of vigilante members in the area, he urged them not to relent until the war was completely won.

“I understand that there is peace here now but we will not relent because we will not allow them (bandits) to succeed,” he said.

This is coming after Governor Bello, on Monday promised that his government will arm vigilante group in the state with pump-action guns to enable them to fight against bandits and other security issues.

Bello while speaking with over 200 members of the vigilante group in Kasuwan Garba in the Mariga Local Government Area of the state said the security volunteer groups would be armed to confront “these enemies of the people across the state.”