Insurgency: Niger to Create Ministry of Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs

Laleye Dipo in Minna

As part of his strategy to curb insurgency and banditry, the Niger State Governor Alhaji Mohammed Umaru Bago is to establish a Ministry of Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs.

Bago’s decision is also informed by the vastness of the state which has made banditry and insurgency to thrive by the creation of a safe haven for bandits and other criminals in the forests.

The Governor told the Assistant Inspector General of Police AIG Zone 7, Adebowale Williams, who paid him a courtesy visit in Minna that with “the vast  land the state is blessed with, criminals have taken advantage of the ungoverned spaces to launch their nefarious activities.

He said as a result of this development “we will create a Ministry of Pastoral and Nomadic Affairs that will work towards securing the forests and ungoverned spaces using the inhabitants in the areas to enable Farmers and Nomads to return to their farmlands.”

Bago said his government  was ready to partner with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to secure this  vast arable land and thereby restore  peace and security to all parts of the state.

The Police, Bago said, are  indispensable partner in this task and therefore asked the officers and men to brace up to their responsibilities of securing the lives and property of the people.

 AIG Williams had  earlier in his remarks  commended the governor for what he described as “unique, uncommon and strategic security interventions the state government ,is providing to enable the police to perform its national assignment effectively.”

He also appreciated the governor’s donation of a new facility to accommodate the Chanchaga Police Division which has the capacity to house the Area command, adding that the gesture has given the police a sense of entitlement.

He added  that with  the recent donation of 12 brand new patrol vehicles and accessories to the State Police  Command, “the force will up its game in providing ad