By Suleiman Yakubu

The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Comrade Yakubu Garba, has, on behalf of Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, visited some areas in Shiroro Local Government that were bedevilled by a series of bandit attacks.
During the visit on Friday, the Deputy Governor interacted with various security personnel on duty, including internally displaced persons (IDPs), community leaders, religious groups, women, and youths in Erena, Bagna, Galadima Kogo, Zumba, and Gwada communities, all under Shiroro local government.
He expressed deep sympathy over the recent attacks on Bassa, Allawa, and Madaka communities, describing the attacks as heinous crimes against law-abiding citizens of the state.
The Deputy Governor described the attack as terrorism, which he said was man's inhumanity to man, and commended the security forces for their selflessness, resilience, and dedication to protecting the sovereignty and integrity of the Nigerian nation.
"The fight against terrorism is like a war, and there are several battles in a war in which we may win some and lose some.
"But the ultimate goal is to win the war, and we are well aware of this as we have renewed our commitment to ensuring that terrorism is tamed and that we shall achieve by the grace of Allah," he declared.
Comrade Yakubu also emphasised that the primary responsibility of any government is to provide welfare and protect the lives and properties of the people, adding that it is a sacred duty upon the government to entrench the spirit of this constitutional provision.
"The government is doing a lot, and we are optimistic that in no distant time we shall have cause to glorify Allah," he added.
He urged leaders at all levels to be responsive to their responsibilities, particularly in watching out for suspicious characters in their respective communities.  

By Suleiman Yakubu

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Niger State Command, said it has deployed about 1,700 of its personnel to beef up security in all strategic areas across the state as Christians in the state join their counterparts in all parts of the world to mark this year's Easter celebration.
The commandant of the corps, Commandant Okafor Joachin, disclosed this in a press release issued and signed by the command's Public Relations Officer, DSC Mohammed Rabiu Muti, and obtained by a Newsline correspondent.
Mr. Joachin, according to the press release, said the deployment of its men to strategic areas in the state was to ensure a hitch-free Easter celebration in a secure atmosphere.
The statement further explained that the commandant has, in view of this development, directed water-tight security and surveillance activities and foot and vehicular patrols to forestall any breach of peace in the state.
The state commandant of the NSCDC disclosed that all those deployed for the purpose of the celebrations, were expected to monitor all the strategic areas and places, such as churches, motor parks, recreational centres, and all the critical national assets and government infrastructure in the state.
He therefore called on residents in the state to report any suspicious activities within their respective areas to the men and officers of the corps and other sister security agencies in the state for prompt action.
The commandant further directed all the area commanders, divisional officers, and operational commanders to ensure the safety of members of the public during and after the celebrations.