By Ummi Ismaeel,
Minna
The former Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State, Comrade Jonathan Vatsa, has appeled to President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria to come to the aid of the state, stressing that armed bandits had taken over parts of the state.
He said that criminals were killing, maiming their victims and carting away their properties.
He also said that the nefarious activities of the bandits had overwhelmed the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello.
Vatsa, in a statement in Minna expressed regrets that the state was at the claws of criminals.
His words: “Today Niger State is facing lots of security issues – armed bandits, kidnappers and abducting. It appears that the situation is above what the state and the governor can. The governor does not control the security.
“Armed bandits have continued their advancement into parts of the state unleashing terror to citizens especially in Rafi, Bosso, Paikoro, Munya and Shiroro local government areas.
“They kill some persons, abducted several others and rendering thousands homeless as well”.
Vatsa, who was also the Commissioner of Information, Culture and Tourism, however warned that with the rate of advancement of criminals, “If nothing is done now, the killings are likely going to increase and more people will also be homeless”.
The approach to security issues should be checked else Nigeria stands to lose, he said, adding, “If the people who voted for President Muhammadu Buhari from Niger are killed, who will vote for the APC come 2023?”
The former commissioner said that security of lives and properties should be paramount to any government.
Vatsa also appealed to members of the Boys Brigade Nigeria to reschedule the annual Drumline Competition, pointing out that postponing the event in the wake the second wave of corona virus was the best security measure as the security of participants cannot be guaranteed.
“We cannot meet up with the COVID-19 protocol: We are postponing it till 2021. I advise us to always observe the safety protocols because the second wave is more deadly and we cannot point to any index or suspected case. Everyone is a suspect because we have all mingled together”.
Vatsa, who is now the Coordinator, (Public Affairs) to Governor Sani Bello, however, called on the state government to ensure strict enforcement of the use of face masks as it is one of the surest ways to reduce the spread of the virus.
