Sani-Bello’s order to special squad: Comb the forest and free 136 kid-abductees
By Aideloje Ojo, Minna and Bayo Agboola, Ibadan
Niger state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has ordered a combined security squad to comb the forest and battle the bandits to rescue the 136 children abducted over two weeks ago.
His action is coming on the heel of a similar feat in Kebbi where the governor, Atiku Bagudu vowed to crush abductors of some unspecified number of students and staff members of Federal Government College, Birnin Yauri Thursday.
The move by Bagudu, who insisted on no ransom for the hoodlums, is yielding the desired result as 11 of the captives had been rescued as at the time of this report.
Bello’s past outcry
Governor Sani Bello had at various times cried out to the federal government to come to his people’s aid who had remained under bandits’ siege.
And when none seemed to be coming, the governor accused Abuja of abandoning his people to their fate, warning that Abuja was not also safe as the criminal elements were just two hours away from the nation’s capital city.
Further to that, the governor was also quoted to have recently said there were informants within his government.
Time to act
v But talking tough and set for action, the governor said he was ready to take the battle to the bandits’ hideouts.
Addressing a security squad comprising the Military, Police, Civil Defence, and Vigilante Corps at Kagara, Rafi local government area of the state Monday, the governor said the government had resolved to take decisive measures in ensuring the safe return of the children.
“Even though we have ruled out payment of ransom, it is time for government to take decisive measures towards ending the bandits’ activity that is forcefully changing the lives of the people especially in the rural areas.
“The abductors are not honest, they are not honourable. After agreeing with parents, they started shifting goal post and now we are here to take action,” the governor said.
Recalling how banditry started in the state, the governor said the criminals “displaced farmers from their farmlands before moving to burning farms, kidnappings and forcing us to close our schools. Now they have started attacking Islamic schools, only God knows what is next.”