Banditry: Bago wants 25,000 Niger youths military recruitment, two FOB
By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago has urged the military to recruit 25,000 from the state in the war against banditry/terrorism in the state.
The Governor also requested for the establishment of more Forward Operating Bases ( FOBs) in the state particularly in Mailaka and Kurege in the Mariga local government area of the state.
He explained that the FOBS would block the entrance of miscreants from neighbouring states to Niger state.
Governor Bago made the demands when he received the Theatre Commander, Joint Taskforce North West, code named as Operation Fansan Yamma, Major General Warrah Idris, on a courtesy visit at Government house Minna
He said, ” these FOBs are needed especially in Mailaka and Kurege in the Mariga local government area of the state”.
He also requested that 25,000 youths from Niger state Niger be recruited as soldiers to help in fighting insecurity in the state.
“We are willing as a state to help you to recruit 25,000 youths to go after these people”, he said.
While expressing concern about assets that have been neglected in Kainji Lake National Park and other places in Borgu Local Government due to the activities of bandits thereby making the areas safe haven for the criminals, the Governor expressed optimism that the operation Fansan Yamma will bring an end to the menace in no time.
Speaking earlier, the Theatre Commander, Joint Taskforce North-West, Operation Fansan Yamma, Major General Warrah Idris explained that sectors 1, 2, and 3 are under his command, adding that one of the sectors covers parts of Niger State.
“We are here to ensure that the task given is executed to the last limit. We are here to ensure that we eradicate banditry, terrorism, and other acts of crime,” he said.
He added, “operations are ongoing in Kainji Lake National Park and Babana, among other areas in Borgu, to clear and strangulate the bandits in the axis”.
