EXTRA: We need to go spiritual over insecurity, says Niger speaker

Abdullahi Wuse, speaker of Niger assembly, says there’s a need to “go spiritual” over the activities of bandits in the state.

The speaker made the comment when he led his colleagues to the government house over the recent abductions of schoolchildren and staff of Government Science College (GCS), Kagara, as well as passengers of the state transport authority.

Condemning the abductions, Wuse explained that there is a need for the state to embrace prayers.

“We need to go spiritual. We need to pray for the state, we need prayers so that God will see us through,” he said on Saturday.

The speaker also said the assembly will amend its laws, such that there will be harsher punishment for informants of bandits.

“We have decided that by next plenary, we will amend the law to give informants to criminals stiffer punishment,” he said.

The speaker advised the government to meet with traditional rulers and impress upon them the need to be wary of strangers’ movements in their communities.

Commenting, Abubakar Sani-Bello, Niger governor, said he is open to the review of the law to provide punishment for people who provide information to bandits.

“Going forward, we have to put in place necessary measures to know the root cause of the security challenges in the state and how to address it,” he said.