Bago Confirms Talks with Bandits to Drop Arms

Olawale Ajimotokan in Abuja

Niger State Governor, Abubakar Umar Bago, has disclosed that an Olive Branch has been extended to the bandits terrorising the state to drop their arms in exchange for amnesty.

He made the disclosure yesterday when he led some members of the state executive committee on a courtesy visit to the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris on his appointment as minister.

“We gave extended olive branch to bandits to drop their arms for amnesty and we are discussing with them to see how we can solve the problem amicably. We are discussing with them not negotiation, talking to them to come out, drop their arms and enter the society. It is a clarion call,” Bago said.

He said he led the delegation to the minister because the later came from Niger State.

He also appealed to the minister to help in projecting Niger State to the world and investors as the largest state in Nigeria.

Idris, in his remarks, said President Bola Tinubu was deeply concerned about the state of insecurity in Niger State and was working round the clock to ensure that peace returns to the state.

“Government is working and some of these things are not for public consumption, some of the things that the security agencies are doing are not what I will come out and talk before the cameras.

“However, what l can tell you is that Mr President is deeply concerned and is working around the clock to ensure that peace returns to Niger, and he will leave no stone unturned in ensuring that it happens.

“Niger State has 8.6 million hectares of land with 6000sq km of arable land, four hydropower dams, we are 10 per cent of the total size of Nigeria. So, we are poised and positioned for agriculture in terms of animal husbandry, crop production, aquaculture and other ways of food security.

“He also is desirous of changing the face of Nigeria and ensuring that the economic turn around of the country is achieved within the shortest possible time.

“We know that the times are hard. Mr President has acknowledged that. He has said he is aware that Nigerians are experiencing hardship arising from the removal of fuel subsidy and the downturn of the economy.

“You will agree with me that the fuel subsidy that was removed was actually in the best interest of Nigerians. He has said repeatedly that Nigerians would feel the pains from the subsidy removal before experiencing the gain,” Idris said.