Security agents retreated to re-strategise… they didn’t abandon their posts, says Niger governor

Abubakar Sani-Bello, governor of Niger, has condemned the killing of soldiers and policemen by suspected bandit in Shiroro LGA of the state.

Gunmen, on Wednesday, attacked the military base in Allawa area of the state, killing six soldiers and a police officer.

The bandits were also said to have burnt down the base before moving into the communities where they also killed seven people and abducted several others.

There have been reports that the taskforce camps in the state were being deserted and that security agents were leaving the communities after the recent invasion of the military base.

Reacting to the incident, the governor assured residents of Bassa, Zumba and others in Shiroro and Munya LGA affected by the attack that the joint military taskforce bases in the area have not been deserted.

In a statement by Mary Noel-Berje, his chief press secretary, Bello urged the communities not to be apprehensive but to remain calm as the security agents have retreated to re-strategise and not left them completely.

The governor “regretted the deadly attack and killing of the security agents”.

He urged the communities not to be apprehensive but to remain calm as the security agents have retreated to re-strategise and not left them completely.

“The military have evacuated the corpses of the gallant officers who died in the faceoff with the bandits and have retreated for a while to re-strategize. They have not left or abandoned the communities,” he said.

He said the increasing banditry and kidnapping activities in some parts of the state calls for constant re-strategising, adding that government and the security agencies have remained steadfast and would ensure that the criminals are eliminated.

The governor commiserated with the military, the police force and the communities affected by the activities of bandits.

On Friday, the state police command said it killed three suspected kidnappers at Fapo village in Lapai LGA of the state.

Wasiu Abiodun, the command’s spokesman, said the suspected kidnappers were trailed to a place near Fapo village, where they were engaged in a fierce gun battle.

He added that two AK 47 rifles and one locally fabricated AK 47 rifle were recovered during the incident.