,Seek for security assurance from Niger governor
By Priscilla Campell, Minna
Communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger Stated attacked by armed bandits last week have refused to go home until their security is guaranteed by the state government.
The state Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, had during a visit to the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps in Erena, urged the victims to return to their communities; but they told him that they were scared of going back home without adequate security put in place.
Allaying their fears, Bello assured them of provision of security in the affected villages as troops had already been deployed to the areas.
He lamented the marshy, rocky and unmotorable nature of most parts of the affected areas.
He assured: “We will beef up security in the contiguous areas. Unfortunately, access to these areas is almost impossible because it is mostly mashy and rocky. But, we have been able to send security personnel there so that the local people can go back to their various homes.
“I have spoken to a few of them and I understand their fear. They are scared to go back home and I do not blame them. I do not blame them for being scared.”
Bello, however, confirmed that 37 persons lost their lives while 27 sustained gunshot wound and are receiving treatment during the attack.
The Director of the Primary Healthcare Centre in Shiroro, who heads the IDP camp Clinic, Musa Idris Aliyu, said that about 513 patients had been treated in the last one week.
“There are adequate medical supplies for the treatment of the people and relief materials had been brought in for the people,” Aliyu stated.
Also, the acting Director General of the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Tanko Zumba, said that a total of 2004 persons was currently taking refuge in the IDP camp in Erena and 24 injured receiving treatment.
According to him, food and non-food items worth over N20 million had been provided by the government.
