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How I negotiated with bandits as LG Chairman – Niger governor’s aide
Worried by endless banditry attacks in Niger State, the the Special Adviser to the governor of Niger State on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Gambo Kagara said informants and some miscreants are responsible for the increasing rate of banditry activities in part of Kagara and its environs.
Alhaji Gambo who was speaking in an exclusive interview with CAPITAL POST in Minna, said the activities of the informants is even more worrisome than the activities of the armed bandits in Kagara town.
He noted that most of the armed banditry attacks on Kagara town and its surrounding communities were being carried out by strangers that come from neighbouring States of Zamfara, Katsina and Kaduna through information received from their informants who are mostly residing in Kagara town, adding that the informants know the movement of the people and gives out detail of their transaction before the bandits carry out their operations.
According to him, with the support of the informants, the bandits will infitrate the town and successfully carry out their attack on their victims freely without any hindrance before going out of the town, stating that without such informants, “there was no way that the bandits will succeed without being arrested by the security agencies”.
Gambo said: “At times these bandits will even tell their victims that you sold your farm products and your livestocks in so so and so markets.
“And you are in possession of some amount of money. You eigther bring out the money or you risk being kidnapped and you will pay huge amount of money. You are left with an option to decide on your own what is good for you”, he said.
Alhaji Gambo Kagara, who was the immediate past Chairman of Rafi Local Government Council explained that during his tenure as the Council chairman, he was able to use his political will to invite some of the identified notorious bandits within the neghbouring States of Katsina, Kaduna and Zamfara states for a dialogue along with relevant stakeholders and security chiefs in the State where he extended his hands of fellowship to them to see reasons to renounce their banditry activities in Kagara town and its environs which brought about the relative peace he was able to enjoyed during his administration as the council chairman of Rafi Local Government.
“That singular political will, I adopted by bringing out the bandits for a negotiation brought about the relatively peace in Kagara town and its surrounding communities. Uptill the time I left the council I never had any banditry attacks on Kagara again untill now” he told CAPITAL POST.
He pointed out that when his opinion was sought on how to curtail the increasing rate of armed banditry attacks in recent times, he said by the time the informants were flushed out from the town, the activities of the bandits will be brought under control and to the barest level.
By the time the informants were given the maximum punishment which will serve as a deterrent to other bandits, it would curtail the incessant activities of banditry attacks on Kagara and the neighbouring villages.
“When I was at the council as chairman, my opinion was sought on how to curtail the banditry activities in Kagara town. I told them that I don’t have any problem with the bandits but their informants that lives with us in the town.
“For me if the bandits were arrested, they should allow them to go but their informants should face the music by flushing them out so that they would not exist to give out informations to the bandits for them to carry out their attack on the town anymore.
“By the time, two or five of the informants were flushes out, it will send a signal to the bandits. They will not come to carry out their activities in Kagara, because their informants were no more. That was my stand then. And up till the time I ended up my administration, I never had any attack by armed bandits throughout the end of my tenure as Council chairman” he added.
He noted that security should be seen as a collective responsibility of every citizens stressing the needs for all stakeholders to partner with relevants security agencies in the State to fight the security challenges across the country through the needed support and cooperation to the security agencies, assuring that through such synergy the increasing rate of armed banditry activities in the state will be brought to the barest level.
He appealed to the people of Kagara to always keep a watch on their neighbourhoods and be vigilant at all times, stating that they should endeavour to report unusual movement in their midst to the appropriate security agencies for prompt attention this according to him will assist in curtailing the increasing proportion of banditry activities in the area.
News
Ododo’s aide escapes assassination by whiskers, allege APC youth leader, Mohammed behind attempt
Gov. Usman Ahmed Ododo’s Aide, Hon. Godfrey Adekoye, Senior Special Assistant on Youths Empowerment on Tuesday escaped an assassination attempt on his life by whiskers.
The aide of the Governor said the attack on his life happened at Lounge 1, a popular hospitality joint in Lokoja, added that the attackers followed him down to his house, unfortunately they met his absence.
In a statement he made available to CAPITAL POST in Lokoja, the aide to the Governor accused the Kogi State APC Youth Leader, Hon. Mohammed U Mohammed and one Abubakar Nasara Ola as behind his attack.
He said during the attack on him, Abubakar threatened to kill him, pointed a gun at him before the intervention of onlookers who saved him by chance.
The attackers destroyed and broke the windscreen of his vehicle, that is now parked in the custody of the Quick Response Squad.
Speaking on the attack, Hon. Godfrey said he has since reported the matter to the Quick Response Squad, an arm of the Nigerian Police, in Lokoja, said his life is in danger.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Williams Ayah, said he was making efforts to confirm the attack on the aide, could not be reached as at time of going to press.
A popular General Overseer of a new generation Church, Elijah has been arrested by the Octopus (C41) Strike Force unit of Rivers State Police Command for investigation over homosexual allegations.
It was gathered that a video of the Pastor was leaked indulging in the homosexual act to the police by a member of his church.
The member who alleged that the General Overseer attempted sleep with him against his will.
The member who revealed his name simply as Patrick now a complainant said, he wanted to play along after the General Overseer made sexual advancement and captured the nude video of pastor attempting to have carnal knowledge of him.
Armed with the intelligence report, the police traced the General Overseer who is from Rivers State to one of his relaxation spots in Port Harcourt and arrested him.
Sources revealed to our correspondent that the General Overseer has reportedly confessed to other numerous acts of homosexuality involving both male adults and minors within and outside Port Harcourt.
Public Relations Officer for the Rivers State Police Command, SP Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident, adding that investigation was ongoing.
Against government ban on rallies and organised reception under whatever guise by Kogi State Government, constituents of the Central Senatorial District troop3d out enmasse to receive Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan on Tuesday in Okene.
According to the pictorials released by the Media office of Senator Natasha, creme-de-la creme could be seen waiting in a scorching sun, not minding the effect.
The massive turn out followed assurance from Senator Natasha ‘s media team that the lawmaker has arrived from overseas and would make it to Okene on Tuesday for Sallah celebrations with her constituents.
A statement obtained by CAPITAL POST in Lokoja on Tuesday, pointed out that the purported ban on rallies and the cancellation of the visit were mere rumours, hence, the embattled lawmaker would pay a visit her constituents.
Part of the statement read: “We are pleased to confirm that Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan’s Sallah visit to Kogi Central senatorial district will proceed as planned.
“Despite rumours circulating online, there has been no official announcement from our office regarding the cancellation of this visit.
“As the senator representing Kogi Central, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan remains committed to engaging with her community and fostering a spirit of unity and cooperation.
“Her dedication to the people of Kogi Central is unwavering, and she looks forward to celebrating Eid-el-Fitr with her constituents.
“We would like to assure the public that all necessary arrangements are in place to ensure a successful and joyous event. We invite all members of the community to join us in marking this special occasion.”
On Monday, CAPITAL POST reported that Kogi State Government issued a statement which was signed bybthe Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Femi Fanwo asserting security concerns, hence, the proposed homecoming of Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District should be put off.
He stressed that there security breaches in parts of Kohi West Senatorial District, thus the security was so volatile that Government cannot guarantee peace for now and abused that the proposed reception at Okene should be cancelled.
Also, Kogi State Police Command earlier on Tuesday issued a statement banning any rally within the State, stating that intelligence reports available to it indicated that crisis may spur.
The statement which was signed by Police Public Relation Officer, SP William Ovye Aya and made available to CAPITAL POST, stressed that intelligence reports was indicative of peace and the rally which was organised by Natasha’s constituents should be cancelled.
The statement said: “Following the intelligence report on security threats in Kogi State and the subsequent ban on all forms of Rally and procession by the Kogi State Government, the Nigeria Police Force, Kogi State Police Command has called on the organisers of planned rally at Okene to cancel such event in the interest of the peace in Kogi State.
“The call for cancellation becomes necessary, noting that intelligence reveals that some hoodlums plan to hijack the process and cause disturbance of peace in the State. The Command cannot afford to jeopardize the existing peace the State is currently enjoying.
“In view of the security threat received on the planned rally, the Kogi State Police Command is therefore advising the organisers to cancel the event so as to avoid any breakdown of law and order in the State. As the Command will not hesitate to apply the full wrath of law on any one who causes disturbance of peace and order in the State.”
Constituents trooped out displaying placards demanding justice for Senator Natasha.
It was recalled that Natasha was suspended from the Senate for six months over breach of Senate Standing Orders.
The lawmaker also alleged that the Senate President, Godswill Obot Akpabio was harassing her sexually.
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