Niger State Governor, Umar Bago, has unveiled a bold plan to recruit 25,000 youths across the state as volunteer security officers to combat the growing wave of terrorism and banditry.
Bago disclosed this after a stakeholders’ meeting held at the palace of the Sultan of Kontagora, which brought together political leaders, market associations, traditional and religious rulers to deliberate on lasting solutions to insecurity in Zone C and other parts of the state.
“Today, I held a meeting with key stakeholders of Zone C to address the security challenges in the area,” the governor said. “I have ordered that, starting from today, 1,000 youths be recruited from each of the 25 local government areas as volunteer security officers.”
The governor explained that the volunteers would receive comprehensive training and be fully equipped to defend their communities.
“I will ensure they receive proper military training and are provided with modern equipment. When this is done, we will not wait for criminals to attack our people — our youths will go after them,” he said.
Bago noted that the initiative would empower young people with self-defense and community protection skills, under the guidance of the Nigerian military.
Sympathising with residents affected by recent attacks, the governor stressed that the meeting was a united effort to restore peace and stability.
“First of all, we sympathise with the people of Zone C over the recent insecurity. Both politicians, market men and women, and traditional rulers have come together to provide lasting solutions. Religious leaders and all ethnic groups — Fulani, Hausa, Kambari, and others — were part of the discussion. By God’s grace, this marks the end of the crisis,” he said.
He identified the perpetrators of the attacks as terrorists and bandits infiltrating Niger State from neighboring Zamfara, Kaduna, and Katsina forests.
Bago assured residents that his administration would not relent until normalcy returns to all parts of the state.
