Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa Gwabin, has assured Governor Muhammad Umaru Bago that the armed forces will defeat all terrorists in the state and bring lasting peace to villages affected by insurgency.
The defence chief gave the assurance yesterday when the Niger State Governor visited him in his office at the Defence Headquarters, Abuja, to seek the support of the military to tackle the renewed insurgency by armed bandits that has wrecked havoc in some local governments in the state.
Gen. Christopher said the military and other security agencies will not rest on their oars until the activities of terrorists are brought to an end.
He acknowledged the strategic location of the state and promised that violent non-state actors would not be allowed to continue their nefarious activities.
The governor, worried by the recent renewed attacks on villagers and farmers in some local governments in the state, begged the Chief of Defence Staff to increase military presence in the troubled areas and bring an end to the activities of terrorists.
In a press release signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mal. Bologi Ibrahim, Governor Umaru Bago said this was necessary because the terrorists were taking advantage of the large ungoverned areas in the state and requested that the armed forces increase their presence to curtail the activities of the terrorists.
The governor, who noted and appreciated the commitment and sacrifice members of the armed forces offered in the state, promised to render all necessary support to security agencies to succeed.
Armed terrorists in large numbers have in recent days attacked several villages in Mariga, Wushishi, Rafi, Shiroro, Munya, and Paikoro, sending many weary villagers out of their homes and farmlands.
The daredevil men who abducted many people and killed others were, however, in some places confronted by soldiers who engaged them in gun battles that resulted in the deaths of many terrorists.
On Sunday last week, the military were said to have cleared a blockage mounted by armed bandits along the Minna-Zunguru road, and a large contingent of soldiers were seen heading towards the troubled areas, ostensibly as part of reinforcement.
Although the police have yet to release any statement on the new development, some villagers who left their homes for safety said an intense gun battle was raging between the terrorists and the military.
The governor also paid a similar visit to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, in a bid to ramp up quick security interventions to arrest the worrying situation in the state.
Niger State Government and Kingdom of Morocco have struck a partnership in areas of agricultural technology, health, education, energy and railway services.
The state governor, Mohammed Umar Bago who was at the Moroccan embassy today, said the partnership was necessary considering the fact that the Kingdom of Morocco has made significant advancements in agricultural technology and practices.
He noted that collaboration in this sector can help improve agricultural productivity, promote sustainable farming methods and enhance food security in the state.
The governor believed also that the partnership will help in the area of education and health, thereby promoting educational exchanges and cultural programmes to foster understanding, knowledge sharing and human capital development as well as share experiences in healthcare delivery, medical training and disease prevention.
"The strong foundation about to be created between Niger State and the Kingdom of Morocco would bring about a sustainable growth, knowledge sharing and improved quality of life for our respective populations", the governor said.
The Moroccan Ambassador to Nigeria, Moha Ou Ali Tagma, expressed delight for the visit and advocated the need for the governor and some key government officials to pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco for first hand information about the development of various spheres of its economy.
He commended Governor Umaru Bago for his efforts and pledged the support of the Kingdom of Morocco to Niger State.
