Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger has lamented that the federal government under president Muhammadu Buhari has abandoned the state in the face of the daring security challenges in the state.
The governor express his hopelessness when he received the Senate Chief Whip, Mr Orji Kalu at the Government House on Thursday.
According to the Sani-Bello, after the visit of federal government’s sympathizers and deployment of mobile units, at the moment, he has little or no support from the government at the Centre.
“At the moment we did not feel any federal presence here. Yes, agreed the Inspector General of Police sent us four mobile units but we have to shoulder all the financial responsibilities.
“So, where is the support? There is no support from any one. Yes, we had a delegation that came to commiserate with us, finished. We are left to ourselves.
“Be that as it may, we have already made a commitment to Nigerlites that we will bring the children back home safely with or without anyone’s support and that is exactly what we are going to do to ensure the safe return of these kids soon, using resources within our means,” the governor lamented.
Sani-Bello added that the established command centres should be stationed in all states of the federation to work with local authorities.
“The command centre will work with local authorities combined with the federal troops that will come for the operations and, most importantly, the representatives of the services at the command centres should be able to report to their bosses and give update on situations”, he said.
The governor appreciated the visit and acknowledged the Senate Chief Whip as a friend of the state.
Earlier, Kalu who in Minna on sympathy visit, called on the federal government to set up a joint Security Committee in Minna, to fastrack the release of students, staff members and relatives abducted from the Government Science College Kagara.
Observing that security issue had become a big challenge in the country, particularly in Niger state considering its large landmarks, he suggested that the joint security committee should comprise representatives of all the security outfits in the country, as it will help the existing commands in the state.
“I call on the federal government to set up a joint security committee in your state to be able to have a representative of all the forces like the National Security Adviser, the Army. They should be able to help the existing commands that are here to facilitate in getting back these innocent young boys and women that are kidnapped”, Kalu said.
He encouraged the governor to continue with every efforts geared towards securing the freedom of the abductees and also opined that the state and federal government should partner to tighten up security in the state.
“We encourage you to continue doing what you are doing to see how these kids will all be released. We believe that you should do more to partner with the Federal Government to become two working tools that will make security tight in Niger State”, he stated.
Dignitaries on Kalu’s entourage include; Chairman of Belema Oil, Jack Richie; Member House of Representatives, Femi Bamisile and Former Chief of Staff to Abia State Governor, who is also a brother to the Senator.
