Niger State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar, has narrated how a community in Rafi Local Government Area of the state paid over N70million as ransom to armed bandits to secure some of their abducted relatives and friends from the custody of the hoodlums.
Umar who is also a security expert explained that members of the community paid the huge ransom while no bank in Kagara headquarters of Rafi local government council can hardly boast of N40 million in its strong room.
Umar stated this on Monday during a one day workshop organised by the State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) at the IBB Pen House, Minna to commemorate the occasion of the 46th anniversary celebration of the creation of Niger State by the military administration of late Major General Murtala Muhammad in 1976.
He said the implication of this is that there will be more money in the informal sector than in the formal sector. He further described such development as dangerous and devastating.
The commissioner further said a cattle market in Mariga local government area of the state generated business transactions of well over N1 billion which was attacked by armed bandits who carted away no fewer than about N500million.
He stressed that such development poses a doom for the state.
He noted that these incessant attacks in rural communities can only be put to an end through the collective efforts of every law-abiding and patriotic citizen in addition to the provision of additional manpower.
Meanwhile, the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Garba Attahiru Gunna, described the lecture theme as apt while saying that “he is prepared to support this kind of programme by NUJ Niger State Council at all times.”
Similarly, the Chairman, Niger State Council of NUJ, Comrade Abu Nmodu, who expressed delight with the level of attendance and contributions from resource persons also directed Committee on Education and Training in the union to organise another in-house training for members before the week runs out.
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