An X-Files Episode Trump Must Watch

Trump and Alien

Created by Chris Carter, The X-Files is one of the  most political TV series ever made. 

Airing its first episode on 10^th September 1993 and the last on 21^st March 2018 (218 episodes in total), the deep and thought provoking content show has millions of fans worldwide. 

The show has featured real life events; sometimes directly and some other times stylishly.

The fourth episode of Season 11 is one episode with really deep albeit funny message. 

Mentally unstable government worker, Reginald Mu Detroid (Reggie Something), makes the main protagonist, agent Fox Mulder, believe he has vital info worthy of consideration. 

The duo of Mulder and Scully eventually discover that they were sent on a wild goose chase.

The episode features an alien from space who had a message for the people of earth. Here is 'it's' speech:

Greetings…earthlings

I come before you as a representative of the inter-galactic union of sentient beings from all known universes and beyond. 

We have been observing your species for many-what you call-years. Our study is now complete; we no longer wish to have any further contact with you. 

We have returned your music sampler but will no longer tolerate any further efforts on your part to venture beyond your realm.

We are building a wall, it will be a beautiful albeit invisible electromagnetic wall that will sub-atomically incinerate any probes you attempt to send beyond your solar system. 

You are free to explore your anus all you want, but we can’t allow your kind to infiltrate the rest of the cosmos.

You are not sending us your best people, you're bringing drugs, you're bringing crime… you're rapists. And some I assume are good people, but we have no choice. 

Believe me, for although the rest of the galaxies all have their share of these same problems, we fear you could infect us with the one trait that is unique to earthlings; you lie.

To show there are no hard feelings, we’ve compiled a compendium of answers to any questions you might still have regarding…anything.

Good luck…and good riddance.

This speech contains lines that were first made by then US president, Donald Trump.

Donald Trump said as he announced his candidacy for the 2016 presidential election on 16^th June, 2015.

“When Mexico sends its people, they’re not sending their best. They’re sending people that have lots of problems, and they’re bringing those problems with them. They’re bringing drugs. They’re bringing crime. They’re rapists. And some, I assume, are good people.”

Alien emissary: “You are not sending us your best people, you are bringing drugs, you are bringing crime, you are rapists, and some I assume are good people, but we have no choice”.

Donald Trump also became famous for proposing to build a wall to block off Mexicans from the US border. Mr. Space Man announced the same plan on the human race.

The episode also features a character known simply as 'Doctor They' who constantly mimicked  Donald Trump.

Fans of The X-Files have been dying for a Season twelve; will the creators and actors make it happen? Time will tell.

Doctor They 

Aromayvayso baragas

Banditry: The Treachery and Deceit of Community Policing

Members of vigilante groups in Nigeria

Banditry attacks became an everyday headline in Nigeria shortly after the start of the Muhammadu Buhari Presidency in April 2015. Though Boko Haram activities spiked in the first few years of the administration, it subsided in the later parts of Buhari’s first tenure. 

Unfortunately, with the subsiding of Boko Haram’s terror came the birth of a new menace; banditry. Killings and kidnappings by bandits have attained heights never seen before in Nigerian history.

The Buhari government announced its community policing project on 28^th April 2020. 

What is Community Policing?

Community Policing is generally defined as a law enforcement philosophy that allows officers to continuously operate in the same area in order to create a stronger bond with the citizens living and working in that area. 

It never entails pushing civilians to the front line.

However, in Nigeria, the project simply entails pushing the job of the armed forces to the hands of civilians most of whom are untrained and inexperienced. 

It is seen as a move by government to silence calls for an upgrade of the armed apropos of number and equipment. The Nigeria police force has been demanding the recruitment of an extra 155, 000 personnel, better equipment and better welfare and remuneration for years. 

On 26^th November 2018, the Buhari government approved an increment of salaries for the Nigerian police; the increment is yet to be effected. 

The treachery in community policing is seen in the fact that civilians who risk their lives working as vigilantes do not get anything close to what  regular members of the armed forces get in terms of remuneration and when they die ‘in the line of duty’, their families get no compensation worthy of mention. 

On 22^nd April 2020, a bandit attack in Rafi local government of Niger state led to the death of 9 vigilante personnel. Some of these men were breadwinners, what happens to their families now?

Muhammadu Buhari made three major promises during his campaign in the 2015 elections; the most prominent one was providing security for the populace especially in the north.

Genesis

Rural communities of Zamfara state became killing fields, thousands were killed and tens of thousands others forced to flee. However, a change of government from the APC administration of Abdul Aziz Abubakar Yari to the PDP administration of Bello Matawalle on 29^th May 2019 has seen a marked decline of the menace in Zamfara albeit occasional killings. 

As at the time of writing this piece, the last killings by bandits in Zamfara state took place on 28^th June 2020, 12 civilians were killed. 

As the Zamfara state government stepped up administrative efforts to end banditry in Zamfara state, some of the bandits are said to have migrated to Niger state.

However, banditry has been a scourge on the people of Niger state since 2017; the most affected areas have been the local governments Shiroro, Rafi, Munya and Paikoro. The states: Kaduna, Benue, Sokoto and Katsina (Buhari’s own state) have also been hotspots. 

From rough estimates, banditry and other acts of armed violence has claimed twelve thousand lives and led to the displacement of over 200, 000 across northern Nigeria in the last five years. 

UNHCR documented in 2019 that there are 244, 000 Nigerian refugees with over two million displaced internally.

The Niger state government has documented that over 13, 000 people have been displaced by bandits since the menace started.

Futility of ‘Heavy’ Defense Spending

In the 2020 Nigeria national budget, the Buhari administration slated N975 billion for defense. This makes the total defense budget in the last five years N3.3 trillion. The Ministry of interior, which is also a security organ, has gulped over N1.7 trillion between 2016 and 2019. 

Adding the amount also gulped by the office of the National Security Adviser, it can be categorically stated that the Muhammadu Buhari administration has sunk well over N5 trillion in what it calls ‘securing the country’ in the last four years. 

It calls for the question, has this been effective? It could also raise the question, has the Buhari government actually spent N5 trillion on providing security?

Funding of Vigilante Groups and Insecurity

On 8th February 2017, the Niger state government under Abubakar Sani Bello distributed 90 motor bikes to vigilante groups in Shiroro, Rafi and Munya local government to fight insecurity in the areas. Again on 27th January 2020, the state government distributed 120 motorbikes and 12 vehicles to vigilante groups in the region.

On 16th February, the chairman of Rafi local government, Isma'il Musa Modibbo of the APC, inaugurated two thousand five hundred (2500) local vigilantes personnel to assist in what has been called ‘community policing’.

Similar ‘efforts’ have been made in other states battling with banditry. Have these spendings been worth it? What we know for a cert is that banditry in northern Nigeria is showing no signs of abating.

Months back, there were calls by the government and those clerics loyal to it for nationwide fasting and prayers. The clerics constantly drummed it into the ears of the masses that the insecurity menace was the result of persistent sinning by the masses and not really leadership flaws. 

On 20th February, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sad Abubakar III, who is referred to as the leader of Nigerian Muslims, asserted that the growing insecurity in Nigeria is driven by the sins being committed in the country. Represented by Idris Musa, the emir of Jiwa, at the 5th international conference on “Love and Tolerance: Countering Violent Extremism for Peaceful Coexistence” in Abuja, the Sultan is quoted to have said, “If we cannot listen to what the Bible and Quran have taught us and we continue in our bad ways, what do we expect? It is part of the punishment we are receiving based on our sins. If we can stop committing sin and abide by God’s words, things will change.” 

The prayers and fastings have done nothing to end insecurity.

It leaps off the page at those who care to observe that the community policing project of the Buhari administration is only intended to divert attention of the masses away from the fact that the trillions of naira budgeted for defense has gone into the private pockets of Buhari loyalists hence the need to make insecurity appear as the fruit of the wrong doing of the common man.

It is also an attempt to get the masses to do for free what the government is supposed to be paying for. When there is a preponderance of vigilante groups, it obviates the need for the recruitment of more standard security personnel living corrupt government officials with more money to loot.

Bandits Use Helicopters, Demand N1 Bn Ransom

President Muhammadu Buhari

Bandits attacked the Erena area of Shiroro local government in Niger state taking four workers of an unnamed construction company hostage. 

A ransom of N1 billion was demanded but a N700 million compromise has reported to have been reached. One abductee is said to have escaped from his captors.

A bandits attack on Sunday (17th May) in the same local government claimed five lives which included a pastor, a blind man and three others. Eye witnesses say the bandits have been employing the use of helicopters in their operations. Allegations of bandits deployment of helicopters have been on since January.

Bandits Have Informants In Government--Abu Lolo

Recent data in Nigeria shows that at least twelve thousand people have been killed by bandits in the banditry afflicted states of Niger, Zamfara, Katsina amongst others, two hundred thousand others have also been displaced with about five thousand of them forced to flee to neighbouring Niger Republic.

Niger state governor Abubakar Sani Bello

Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, also known by the nom de guerre, Abu Lolo, was made the chairman of the North Central Governors Forum in a security summit organized by the Nigerian police Force on 23rd January.

On 25th January, the federal government ordered the deployment of military equipment, including aircrafts, to fight bandits in the affected local governments of Shiroro, Paikoro, Munya, Rafi and others.

On the same day 25th January, 11 people were killed and 4 women were kidnapped when bandits attacked Rafi local government. The bandits were said to utilize helicopters.

Minna: 7 Bodies Exhumed From Cemetery

Voodoo icons

Suspected ritualists have exhumed the body of a woman from a cemetery just hours after it was buried. 

Asma’u Yakubu was buried at the Anguwar gwari cemetery in Chanchaga local government in Minna, the Niger State capital, around 4 am on Thursday, it was discovered a few hours later that her corpse had been stolen away. 

No member of deceased family is known to have had any interactions with the press on the egregious incident. 

Confirming the incident, the Chief Imam of the area, Alhaji Abubakar Sadiq Yahya said it was the seventh time a body was stolen from the cemetery. He called on the government to ensure proper surveillance of cemeteries in the state.

On 24th February 2020, the body of a teenage boy buried at the same cemetery on Friday (21st February 2020) was exhumed by unknown persons. 

Minna: Another Body Stolen From Cemetery

Though not officially recognized, the practice of witchcraft is legal in Niger state as the sight of sorcerers and conjurers strutting their stuffs in markets and motor parks is nothing strange.

Nigeria: Gunmen Abduct 40, Kill 65, Displace 600

President Buhari (left) Abu Lolo (right)

In another series of bloodletting, bandits have killed 8 people in  Rafi local government of Niger state. 

Latest: Bandits Kill 6, Displace 600 In Niger State

President Buhari (left) and Governor Bello (right)

Bandits attacked Shiroro and Rafi local governments of Niger state  between 10 am and 12 pm on Wednesday killing 6 people, five of the deaths were in Shiroro local government. 

Another 600 people were displaced by the attack that was said to have been carried out by around 50 men on motor bikes. The survivors have taken shelter in a primary school in Bosso local government of the state. 

Bandits Kill 3, Sack 100s in Fresh Attacks

The member representing Bosso constituency, Malik Madaki Bosso, is reported to have visited the latest IDPs for condolence. 

The North Central state, Niger state, has become a hot spot for killings and abductions by bandits. Hundreds of people have been killed by bandits in the state since 2016 and hundreds of others have been abducted. Some abductees have been released after ransoms were paid but a greater chunk of the abductees have remained missing. 

According to official figures by the Niger state government, there are no fewer than 10, 000 IDPs in the state. 

While speaking to the press after the ‘special insecurity prayers’ on 22^nd February, the governor of the state, Abubakar Sani Bello, said, “The government has put in place a robust action plan that will completely eradicate activities of armed bandits in parts of the state.  We have put in place all necessary measures at the moment to address the situation as far as security is concerned. They (bandits) have rendered over 10,000 persons, which included women, under aged children and male adults to be Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in their camps, and today we call for special prayers against these bandits and to seek Allah’s guidance and protection from these people."

Bandits Strike On Day Of Prayers, House Member Escapes Abduction

Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, was made the chairman of the North Central Governors Forum in a security summit organized by the Nigerian police Force on 23rd January.

Funding of Vigilante Groups and Insecurity

On 8th February 2017, the Niger state government under Abubakar Sani Bello distributed 90 motor bikes to vigilante groups in Shiroro, Rafi and Munya local government to fight insecurity in the areas. Again on 27th January 2020, the state government distributed 120 motorbikes and 12 vehicles to vigilante groups in the region.

On 16th February, the chairman of Rafi local government, Isma'il Musa Modibbo of the APC, inaugurated two thousand five hundred (2500) local vigilantes personnel to assist in what has been called ‘community policing’. These cannot be said to have yielded any fruits.

Fighting insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, was a major campaign promise of Muhammadu Buhari when he pleaded to be voted for in 2015. It has become another item on the to do list of the administration that shows no sign of being achieved any time soon.

The coming of the APC governments at state and federal levels in Nigeria spearheaded by Muhammadu Buhari has brought about a reduction in Boko Haram activities but a concomitant astronomical rise in banditry, kidnapping and massacres by suspected herdsmen.

Corona Virus: Idris Elba Tests Positive

Idris Elba and his wife

Famous British actor, Idris Elba, has confirmed that test results have revealed him to be a carrier of the dreaded disease. He posted a video on his twitter handle at around 8 pm on Monday. 

The Most Deceitful Political Slogan Ever

Change

After a lengthy absence from the political scene in Nigeria,  Muhammadu Buhari returned in 2003. 

Minna: Another Body Stolen From Cemetery

Map of Niger state in Nigeria

Authorities in the Chanchaga area of Minna on Monday confirmed  that the body of a teenage boy buried at the community cemetery on Friday was exhumed by unknown persons. 

The chief Imam of Chanchaga, Mallam Abubakar Sadiq Yahya, corroborated the story speaking to the press and further stated that it is not the first time an ugly incident such as this is happening. 

The Imam suggested the cemetery be fenced to prevent future occurrences. So far, no suspect(s) have been arrested and the identity of the deceased has not been revealed. 

The theft of bodies from cemeteries is common place in southern Nigeria but has begun to gain footing in the north as well. The stolen corpses are used as tools for the practices of witchcraft. 

In recent years, crimes relating to witchcraft have frequented news headlines in Minna metropolis and other parts of Niger state. 

Minna: Ritual Killing Is Bedeviling Maitumbi

• On 13^th January, the headless body of a boy believed to be an almajiri was found in Beji, a town just outside the capital city of Minna. 
• On the morning of 14^th December 2019, a bag containing severed human parts was found at the Maitumbi round about in Minna. 
• On 14th September 2019, a video showing the culprit of a ritual killing in the Maitumbi surfaced on social media. The culprit whose name has still not been confirmed at the time of writing this report had killed and beheaded a commercial motorcyclist and buried his remains in a shallow grave inside an uncompleted building on 13^th September. 
• On 26^th August 2017, a 13 year old boy, Hasan Abubakar was abducted from his home by ritualists in Paikoro local government just outside Minna. Two suspects, 25 year old Abdulrashed Aminu and 27 year old Ismaila Mohammed were trailed, arrested and paraded on 29^th August. They were in possession of the severed head of Hasan Abubakar. 

A Police Public Relations Officer, Babalola Adewole, is quoted to have told the press on the incident: 

“Enough is enough for ritualists in the state. We will continue to apprehend them till they change to better people in the society.  We are on top of the situation and we are equal to the task. Lives of the citizens must be protected by police. Niger State is one of the most peaceful states in the country and we will resist any attempt by bad people to take over the affairs of the state. It will not happen; our men are intact, ready for any eventualities.”

Though not officially recognized, the practice of witchcraft is legal in Niger state as the sight of sorcerers and conjurers strutting their stuffs in markets and motor parks is nothing strange.

Bandits Strike On Day Of Prayers, House Member Escapes Abduction

Buhari (left) and Abu Lolo (right)

The member representing Rafi local government area, Alhaji  Abdullahi Gaba Magani, escaped a kidnap attempt on him yesterday Saturday 22^nd February in Tungan Bako of Rafi local government of Niger state. 

Though the politician escaped unhurt, an unspecified number of innocent members of the community are reported to have been abducted by the bandits. Many other residents suffered varying degrees of injuries and herds of cattle were rustled away. 

The attacks came on the same day the state government headed by Abubakar Sani Bello ordered prayers to be held in the eight emirates of the state over the growing spate of banditry in the state. 

On Tuesday 18^th February, bandits killed 3 people and sacked hundreds of others in the same local government.

Bandits Kill 3, Sack 100s in Fresh Attacks

On 25th January, the federal government ordered the deployment of military equipment, including air crafts, to fight bandits in the affected local governments of Shiroro, Paikoro, Munya, Rafi and others.

On the same day (25th January), 11 people were killed and 4 women were kidnapped when bandits attacked Rafi local government. The bandits were said to utilize helicopters.

On Friday 21^st February, bandits killed one person and abducted several others including a pregnant woman in Borgu local government of the state.

Sins and Insecurity

On 20^th February, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sad Abubakar III, who is referred to as the leader of Nigerian Muslims, asserted that the growing insecurity in Nigeria is driven by the sins being committed in the country. Represented by Idris Musa, the emir of Jiwa, at the 5th international conference on “Love and Tolerance: Countering Violent Extremism for Peaceful Coexistence” in Abuja, the Sultan is quoted to have said, “If we cannot listen to what the Bible and Quran have taught us and we continue in our bad ways, what do we expect? It is part of the punishment we are receiving based on our sins. If we can stop committing sin and abide by God’s words, things will change.” 

Many citizens of Nigeria, Muslims and Christians alike, have dismissed the prayers as an attempt by the government and its allies in the clergy to push blame away from itself unto the masses.

Funding of Vigilante Groups and Insecurity

On 8th February 2017, the Niger state government under Abubakar Sani Bello distributed 90 motor bikes to vigilante groups in Shiroro, Rafi and Munya local government to fight insecurity in the areas. Again on 27th January 2020, the state government distributed 120 motorbikes and 12 vehicles to vigilante groups in the region.

On 16^th February, the chairman of Rafi local government, Isma'il Musa Modibbo of the APC, inaugurated two thousand five hundred (2500) local vigilantes personnel to assist in what has been called ‘community policing’. These cannot be said to have yielded any fruits.

Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, also known by the nom de guerre, Abu Lolo, was made the chairman of the North Central Governors Forum in a security summit organized by the Nigerian police Force on 23rd January.

So far in 2020, no fewer than 20 civilians and 5 security personnel have been killed by bandits in Niger state; thousands have also been forced to flee their homes to become IDPs in their own state.  Hundreds oif others have been abducted with no trace. Government officials say there are currently ten thousand IDPs in the state.

Fighting insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, was a major campaign promise of Muhammadu Buhari when he pleaded to be voted for in 2015. It has become another item on the to do list of the administration that shows no sign of being achieved any time soon.

The coming of the APC governments at state and federal levels in Nigeria spearheaded by Muhammadu Buhari has brought about a reduction in Boko Haram activities but a concomitant astronomical rise in banditry, kidnapping and massacres by suspected herdsmen.

Niger: Bandits Kill 3, Sack 100s in Fresh Attacks

Buhari (left) Abu Lolo (right)

Another bandits attack on communities in Niger state has led to the  killing of three people.  

Armed men invaded Madaka town in Rafi local government area at about 10 pm on Tuesday 18^th February and conducted house to house searches killing people at will. 

A large number of residents have been fleeing towards Kagara, the administrative head of the local government. Bandits also attacked Tungan Makeri in the same local government; a number of homes were torched by the attackers. 

These attacks are coming just days after the chairman of the local government, Isma'il Musa Modibbo of the APC, inaugurated two thousand five hundred (2500) local vigilantes personnel to assist in what has been called ‘community policing’. 

Several local government areas in Niger state have been flowing with blood since 2017 when unknown gunmen began taking turns on killing sprees. The major local governments affected are Shiroro, Rafi, Paikoro and Munya.

On 8th February 2017, the Niger state government under Abubakar Sani Bello distributed 90 motor bikes to vigilante groups in Shiroro, Rafi and Munya local government to fight insecurity in the areas. Again on 27th January 2020, the state government distributed 120 motorbikes and 12 vehicles to vigilante groups in the region. These cannot be said to have yielded any fruits.

During the ceremony marking the distribution of the equipment on 27th January 2020, the governor alleged that the bandits wrecking havoc int he state have informants in government.

Bandits Have Informants In Government--Abu Lolo

On 11th February, the chairman of Shiroro local government announced that eight wards of the local government were now under the control of bandits.

Bandits Takeover 8 Wards In Niger Sate

In late January, Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, Emir of Minna, Umar Faruk Bahago, and immediate past governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, visited the president, Muhammadu Buhari, at the presidential palace, Aso rock, to lament the growing insecurity in the state. During the meeting, Buhari promised to offer military support to the state.

Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, also known by the nom de guerre, Abu Lolo, was made the chairman of the North Central Governors Forum in a security summit organized by the Nigerian police Force on 23rd January.

On 25th January, the federal government ordered the deployment of military equipment, including air crafts, to fight bandits in the affected local governments of Shiroro, Paikoro, Munya, Rafi and others.

On the same day 25th January, 11 people were killed and 4 women were kidnapped when bandits attacked Rafi local government. The bandits were said to utilize helicopters.

On 8th February, 5 people were killed by bandits in Shiroro local government.

Bandits Kill 5 displace 1200 In Fresh Attacks

So far in 2020, no fewer than 19 people have been killed by bandits in Niger state; thousands have also been forced to flee their homes to become IDPs in their own state.

Between June and December 2019 alone, at least 62 people were killed by bandits operating in the state while over 3, 200 others were forced to abandon their homes and become IDPs.

Fighting insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, was a major campaign promise of Muhammadu Buhari when he pleaded to be voted for in 2015. It has become another item on the to do list of the administration that shows no sign of being achieved any time soon.

The coming of the APC governments at state and federal levels in Nigeria spearheaded by Muhammadu Buhari has brought about a reduction in Boko Haram activities but a concomitant astronomical rise in banditry, kidnapping and massacres by suspected herdsmen. 

Nigeria Insecurity: 55 People Killed In 4 days

President Muhammadu Buhari

As insecurity continues to fester across northern Nigeria, a new set  of casualties have been recorded. 

No fewer than 20 people were killed on Tuesday 11^th February when bandits said to have numbered over a hundred stormed Giwa local government of Kaduna state. 

Bakali village in the Fatika district was attacked at about 6:00 pm, armed men were said to have invaded the village shooting sporadically and setting property on fire. 16 members of one family are said to have been cramped in a room and set ablaze, farm produce were also set ablaze. 

The spokesman for the Kaduna State Police Command, Muhammed Jalige, confirmed the incident. 

This attack is coming just over two weeks (26^th January) after president Muhammadu Buhari ordered the Air force to carry out airstrikes against bandits in Niger state and nearby regions in Kaduna state. 

On Sunday this week (9^th February) Boko Haram attacked stranded travelers in Borno state killing 30 of them including a pregnant woman and a baby, several women and children were also said to have been abducted by the terrorists. 

Muhammadu Buhari visited Borno state today (12^th February) to commiserate with the state over the attack. The residents were however not thrilled, videos surfaced on social media showing Buhari’s convoy being booed by watchers on both sides of the road. 

The people chanted “Bamuaso…Bamuayi”, these could be translated as “We no longer want you”. In the 2019 Presidential election, Buhari got his widest victory margin in Borno State; he polled 836,496 out of 955,205 votes cast. This constituted a margin of over 85%. 

On 8^th Febraury, bandits attacked Shiroro local government in Niger state killing 5 people and forcing over 1200 out of their homes.

Arsenal of Bandits

The arsenal of the bandits operating in the country is gradually attracting attention. On 5^th February, a patrol helicopter of the Nigerian Police Force was shot down by bandits in Kaduna state. Police Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba disclosed this in a press statement said the terrorist attacked the police using sophisticated anti-aircraft rifles and General-Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG).

On 25th January, 11 people were killed and 4 women were kidnapped when bandits attacked Rafi local government. The bandits were said to utilize helicopters. 

Yesterday 11^th February, the chairman of Shiroro local government confirmed that 8 wards of the local government were now under the control of bandits.

Bandits Takeover 8 Wards In Niger Sate

Fighting insecurity, particularly in Northern Nigeria, was a major campaign promise of Muhammadu Buhari when he pleaded to be voted for in 2015. It has become another item on the to do list of the administration that has no sign of being fulfilled in the nearest future.

The coming of the APC governments at state and federal levels in Nigeria spearheaded by Muhammadu Buhari has brought about a drastic reduction in Boko Haram activities but a concomitant astronomical rise in banditry, kidnapping and massacres by suspected herdsmen.

Bandits Takeover 8 Wards In Niger Sate

Muhammadu Buhari (left) Abubakar Sani Bello (right)

Authorities in Shiroro local government area of Niger state have confirmed that a total of eight wards in the state have been taken over by bandits. 

Niger State: Bandits Kill 5 displace 1200 In Fresh Attacks

Buhari (left) and Abu Lolo (right)

As insecurity continues to fester across Northern Nigeria, Niger  state has continued to get its share. Five people have been killed in yet another attack on villages in Shiroro local government area of Niger state. 

Eyewitnesses say about 200 bandits on motorbikes and on foot attacked Gurmana village on the banks of River Kaduna today (8^th February) at about 12:00 pm. 1, 200 people are said to have been displaced by the attack forcing them to migrate to the nearby town of Mashigi waiting for help close to the river. 

There did not seem to be any military presence in the area as no security outfit has given a statement on the incident. In an interview with the press, director of the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Ibrahim Inga, he said the agency was ready to deliver aid to the IDPs and relocate them to Kuta, the local government’s capital, as soon as it was safe. 

One survivor, Isma’il Gurmana, gave his account of the incident and said the bandits were still in Gurmana along with about 200 rustled cows.

About two weeks ago, Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, Emir of Minna, Umar Faruk Bahago, and immediate past governor, Muazu Babangida Aliyu, visited the president, Muhammadu Buhari, at the presidential palace, Aso rock, to lament the growing insecurity in the state. During the meeting, Buhari promised to offer military support to the state.

On 25^th January, the federal government ordered the deployment of military equipment, including aircrafts, to fight bandits in the affected local governments of Shiroro, Paikoro, Munya, Rafi and others.

On the same day 25th January, 11 people were killed and 4 women were kidnapped when bandits attacked Rafi local government. The bandits were said to utilize helicopters. 

Between June and December 2019 alone, at least 62 people were killed by bandits operating in the state while over 3, 200 others were forced to abandon their homes and become IDPs.

Niger state governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, was made the chairman of the North Central Governors Forum in a security summit organized by the Nigerian police Force on 23rd January.

The coming of the APC governments at state and federal levels in Nigeria spearheaded by Muhammadu Buhari has brought about a drastic reduction in Boko Haram activities but a concomitant astronomical rise in banditry, kidnapping and massacres by suspected herdsmen.