By Raphael Ekpang
Disturbed by the inccissant killings of his constituents and Nigerians across the 36 states of the federation, the senator representing Niger East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Sani Musa has called on the federal government to go after those behind the perpetration of these heinous crime against the Nigeria nation, particularly the Nigerlites.
He made the call in a motion titled, “Urgent Need for Federal Government To Deploy Troops And Other Security Apparatus To Immediately Bring An End To The Menance Of Insurgency And Terrorism In Niger State And Other Parts Of Nigeria.”
Moving the motion in the floor of the Senate on Tuesday, Senator Sani Mohammed Musa who was pained by the continuous killings of his constituents by bandits said seven years down the line now Niger State, particularly Niger East Senatorial District has come under constant and sustained multiple deadly attacks by heartless, venomous and hydra headed Boko Haram terrorists who are always heavily armed with assorted sophisticated and dangerous weapon unleashing their horror on our innocent populace.
He noted that the Federal government had made frantic efforts in curbing the menace through various operations to tackle terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, yet the expected return of peace in the land is unattainable.
Also aware that confirmed reports emanating from those affected areas of Allawa and Bassa Town in Shiroro Local Government, Niger State indicated that the Joint Security Task Force stationed there had been withdrawn”
He said no reason had been given for the withdrawal but observers believe it will not be unconnected with the casualties suffered by the JSTF during last unfortunate invasion and ambushing of the troops.
He lamented that since 2002 the federal government has appropriated a huge sum of money for the fight against insurgency in the country, yet no result to show forth, therefore, he insisted that banditry activities in Niger State as well as some other states in the country are being sponsored by unidentified people.
He, however, accused influencer Nigerians and foreigners alike who are into mining for being responsible for the continuous attack on his people, while engaging in illegal mining. According to him, the way to stop all these insurgency or banditry is the government to look beyond mere banditry, but the sources and causes of banditry.
“I have call for suspension of mining in the state, no result yet. The only way to curb this menace is for the government to have data based of artisans miners. Because If they discovered you have gold in your area, they will mobilise bandits and chase you away from your community and before you know they have mined everything and move to another area.
“I’m not saying we should stop mining completely. It’s their work and that’s where they feed from, but the government should provide them with a good environment to work. Have a database of these miners so that these artisanal miners can approach the bank and get facilities to buy more tools. If you want to stop miners without compelling them to register and have databased, they will instigate bandits and that is the result of what we are facing in Niger state today.
“It’s a two-way approach: the government needs to get rid of illegal mining and at the same time find a way to support miners.
Sen. Sani Musa, however, urged the Senate to, among others, call on the Chief of Army Staff and the Inspector General of Police to establish a permanent military and police command base in the affected areas.
