With communities under siege from bandits, Niger govt vows to resist threat against grazing reserve

Niger State Government says it will resist any attempt or threat to sabotage its efforts and commitment towards the development and actualization of the multi million dollar Bobi Grazing Reserve located in Mariga and Mashegu Local Government Areas of the state.

Last week, not less than 20 unarmed people were allegedly abducted by the bandits, numbering over 50, when they attacked Tassapma and Kuchi communities in the Bosso and Munya Local Government Areas, leaving scores injured in the process.

There have also been past reports of bandits’ attacks in the two local government areas where the state government has the vast grazing reserve.

The State Governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, on a visit to the Reserve on Monday, acknowledged the increasing cases of armed banditry in some parts of the state and assured that government will do whatever it takes to secure the place.

He said the state government is not leaving anything to chance as the bandits may be out to undermine the progress that is being made on the 34, 000 hectares facility.

“Without having to give details, I can assure you that we are committed and determined to put in place high-level security measures that will safeguard both government and private sector investments here”, he stated.

Governor Sani Bello urged the recognised Fulani communities within the grazing reserve to embrace and key in to the Ruga Settlement Programme for their socioeconomic prosperity and in the overall interest of the state.

The Governor charged them to be vigilant and security conscious, protect all facilities and equipments in the reserve, be accommodative but cautious in harbouring those ‘wicked’ people who may be out to disrupt the arrangements.

In a brief address, the leader of the Fulani in the Bobi Grazing Reserve, Malam Ardo Abubakar, expressed optimism that the project will be a huge success.

“We have witnessed the planting and harvest of the pasture, we have also seen the reality of artificial insemination and crossbreeding, and we are convinced about it potentials as a lucrative and dependable business”, he added.