By Olayemi Esan
Niger State governor, Abubakar Bello has confirmed the death of two soldiers and some injured persons in a recent attack in Kagara of Rafi Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Bello made the confirmation when he visited 12 of the injured soldiers that are receiving treatment at the Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Specialist Hospital, Minna.
The Governor said the injured soldiers are responding to treatment and would be on their feet in no distant time.
Bello, who decried the sad situation, disclosed that some of the injured soldiers were taken to Kaduna for medical attention.
He said that though the exact fatality figure of the bandits cannot be confirmed now, they suffered heavy casualty.
The Governor also maintained that the bandits have alliance with terrorists considering their increasing number and the way they plan and carry out their attacks.
He said the situation calls for a review, adding that aside the kinetic efforts being made, a support system would be evolved for those deprived of their livelihood through banditry or cattle rustling.
Bello therefore enjoined the citizens to be security conscious and be mindful of their environment as well as report any suspicious activities around them.
He pointed out that the war is for all and not only the security agencies as it is threatening the lives of everyone.
He also raised concern over some rural communities, who for fear of attack, harbour bandits.
“Very soon we will tag those communities as same elements as bandits.
“If you are harbouring any bandits, know you are one even if you don’t carry gun because you are risking the lives of our security agents.
“We have lost quite a few of them since it started and we don’t intend to lose more.
“What we are calling for is a safe environment and for everyone to support the ongoing operation by the security agents”, he said.
Meanwhile, the Governor has expressed dismay over the condition of the hospital, which he said gulped huge amount to renovate few years back.
“I am extremely angry because I remember when we came we spent a lot of money to renovate the entire hospital.
”And in less than four years, for this hospital to be like this, then something is fundamentally wrong. So, I am not happy and am very angry”, he said.
The Governor also ordered for immediate repair of the dialysis machines in the hospital and directed the Commissioner for Finance, to release funds immediately to that effect.
