Security agencies intensify patrol in Minna, others

Following the attacks on Sunday and Monday in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State and its environs, which claimed the lives of over 20 soldiers, there is an unusual presence of security operatives, including military personnel in Minna, the state capital.

They are noticed at various places including the markets, traffic junctions roundabouts and public places such as eateries.

Police security vehicles are seen stationed in strategic places where the population of civilians is large.

There is also the sound of sirens blaring on the roads heading in the direction of the local governments where the attacks occurred.

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Niger State was jolted by an attack by bandits which claimed the lives of over 20 soldiers as well as the shooting down of one helicopter.

The military was reported to be planning an air raid on the affected local government to smoke out the remaining bandits after they reportedly neutralised over 50 of the bandits during the attack.

The spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, explained the presence of the patrol vehicles pointing out that they were to ensure sanity and safety in the metropolis.

“Nothing is happening. Is it a bad thing for security to be everywhere? We are just being proactive for the safety of all, there’s nothing serious.

“You can ask around, nothing is happening. This patrol has been on the ground. If you follow the trend, the governor gave the police and other security agencies these vehicles to beef up security presence in the state not quite long.

“He just wants the vehicles to be positioned in the metropolis for visibility. At least, the presence of security deters a lot of things. This had been there before this attack took place.

“Ask people in town. These vehicles had been given in the past two months and the governor had promised them because there was no vehicle for the security agencies; so, he brought them to boost security patrol. So, we must not interprete it (security presence) to mean it’s because of what happened.

“You can do your findings, banditry has been a challenge in Niger State. It has nothing to do with the deployment of patrol vehicles in the town. That issue of banditry is just in about two or three local governments,” Abiodun said.