As the dust raised by the continuing killings in Benue and Plateau states is yet to settle, Niger State governor, Umaru Bago, yesterday declared a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the capital, Minna, following incessant killings of people in the city.
The governor also said the curfew could be extended to other local government areas of the state, identifying motorcyles, otherwise known as Okada, and tricycles (Keke NAPEP) as two major vehicles used by criminals to perpetrate their nefarious activities.
The curfew came on a day 11 persons were killed by herdsmen in fresh attacks in Benue State.
The Niger governor declared the curfew as the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in Plateau State yesterday asked the Federal Government to allow states establish their police forces to curb the increasing wave of killings and attacks across the country.
This is even as the presidential candidate of Social Democratic Party, SDP, in 2023 elections, Prince Adewole Adebayo, yesterday took a swipe at President Bola Tinubu on the worsening security situation in the country, describing him as one who had failed to take governance very seriously.
On the curfew in Minna, Governor Bago made the declaration at a critical stakeholders’ security meeting with traditional title holders in Minna emirate and heads of security agencies at Government House, Minna.
He vowed to lead the operation to all nooks and crannies of Minna to flush out criminals who had in recent times, embarked on a stabbing-spree in the city and other parts of the state.
He, however, exempted medical emergency operators from the ban, adding that the step was taken to address growing security challenges in the state capital.
Governor Bago also warned district, village and ward heads to always ensure proper documentation of people they harbour in their domains.
“Any house found to be harbouring criminals will be demolished, while buildings where hard drugs are sold will as well be destroyed.
“The responsibility of any government is to secure the lives and properties of its citizens and I will not stay back and watch criminals continue to perpetrate evil in the state.
“However, fighting insecurity should be everybody’s business and that is why we should all join hands to identify the hideouts of these criminals and flush them out because they live within us. I am ready to lead the operation to their hideouts and bring them to book,” the governor vowed.
He called on the security apparatus of the state to ensure a clampdown on the criminals, their hideouts and their cartels.
Bago equally cautioned parents to warn their children, as anyone caught in any violence-related activity would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The governor added that the state government will continue to have zero tolerance for thuggery and rascality.