There is palpable tension in Niger State as some bandits believed to be herdsmen have threatened to attack various communities in the state.
The bandits disclosed their plan in an audio message currently trending online which was recorded in Hausa language with a touch of incoherent English towards the end..
Loosely translated, the speaker, who spoke with deep Fulani accent, said:
“We have enough weapons to withstand any force that come against us — Ak47,47,47. We are are especially interested in the danbanga ( vigilante) group.
We will kill them because they are thieves like us and thief does not catch a thief.
We will kill people and collect their woman. None among us does not have up to 2 woman at least.
We have heard of the peacefulness of Niger state; we must enter is this time around.
Plane have brought us enough weapons. Every Fulani man has his own weapon.”
Responding to the threat, the Chairman Kontagora Local Government Council issued a statement restricting movement of Motorcycle rider’s in Kontagora, one of the major towns in Niger State.
The statement titled “Special announcement on restriction of Okada rider’s operations in Kontagora“, reads:
“In furtherance to curbing up the security challenges lurking in Kontagora town and its environs, the Honourable Chairman of Kontagora Local Government Council Alhaji Shehu S. Pawa has met with all the security agencies of Kontagora where some measures were reached:
“That from 07/02/2020, all OKADA rider’s movement is hereby restricted to 6 am in the morning to 10 pm in the night.
“And that security flash points for Stop-and-Search exercises amongst others has also been established in some designated areas effecting today.
“General public are advised to strictly cooperate with these measures.”
Kontagora had remained relatively peaceful even during the period Boko Haram was running amok in several northern states.
Reports said that following the bomb blast that rocked Federal College of Education [FCE], Kontagora in 2014, the Emir of Kontagora, Mallam Saidu Namaska reportedly threatened that any more attack on his town, he will exposed those behing the murderous gang of terrorists.
Eversince, the town has remained calm and peaceful until now. Many however ask… will the Bandits follow through with their threat, will the police take seriously the threats, Do the people feel safe.
(C) Control TV 2020.
