Niger state governor, Abubakar Bello has assured the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) persons from Munya and Shiroro local government areas, that his administration would ensure quick return to their various villages.
The governor interacted with 4,000 IDPs in their camp at Gwada Central Primary School in Shiroro local government on Saturday.
Some of the IDPs were displaced by terrorists while others were displaced as a result of over flow of water from Zungeru Dam under construction.
According to Bello, it is necessary to ensure that the people returned back to their ancestral homes as there continuous stay in the camps could result to outbreak of diseases and food shortage.
“The rains are fast approaching and almost all of them are farmers. If they don’t go back to their farms it won’t be a problem for Niger alone but a problem for Nigeria as it leads to food Insecurity,” he said.
He however said that the people could only go back when their communities are safe, further assuring that the state government and the security agencies were not taking anything to chance to ensure that normalcy returned to the areas.
The governor commended the efforts of the security agencies for the successes recorded in recent times.
He also assured that with the new tactics adopted by the heads of security agencies in the state, IDPs will soon return to their homes.
Bello disclosed that some Improvised Explosives Devices were planted around Galadiman Kogo but assured that security agents were already making efforts to detonate the IEDs.
“I am happy that with the new crop of heads of security agencies in the state there is synergy among them. They are all working together and that is why we are recording successes,” he said.
The governor urged those with information on informants not to hesitate to disclose to the security agencies assuring them of their safety and reward.
He also warned the informants to terrorists to desist as their end will come soon.
On the issue of Gurmana people who were displaced as a result of over-flow of water at the Zungeru Dam, the governor said he will expedite action for an interface with the Federal Ministry of Power to ensure that compensation is paid to them to be able to relocate to highlands.
He acknowledged that some communities have already been paid and government will, as a matter of urgency, ensure that the people of Gurmana were attended to.
The Governor who was presented with some new born babies delivered at the camp, directed that all babies should be taken to Neo-Natal Wing of the Jummai Babangida Maternal and Neo-natal Hospital, Minna for medical attention.
He also ordered that tents be mounted for additional shelter and the provision of mobile toilets be made to improve the sanitary condition in the camp.
The district heads of Gini, Isah Abubakar and Galadima Gogo, Umar Aliyu respectively commended government efforts on insecurity.
They however urged the governor to do more as the raining season is approaching so that their people will go back home and farm.
In a similar development, governor Bello visited the members of vigilante corps at the Niger State Teacher Professional Development Institute (NSTPDI), Maraban Dandaudu in Munya local governmant to boost their morale in the war against terrorism in the state.
He assured them of all necessary support particularly in the area of better weapons.
