The Niger state government, has allocated 50 hectares of land to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, for the establishment of a training school in Kontagora.
The Chairman of North Central Governors’ Forum and Governor of Niger, Abubakar Sani-Bello who handed over the land to the management of NSCDC, said it is in a bid to provide security to citizens.
Sani-Bello explained that in the interim, the state government had signed a lease agreement with the Bako Ranch Limited, to ensure a smooth take-off of the NSCDC training school, adding that some facilities were made available at the temporary site to enable the running of the training school.
The governor assured that the permanent site will come to fruition with the support of government at all levels.
He called on the management and personnel of the NSCDC to make good use of the facility.
Sani-Bello also thanked the Commandant General, Abdullahi Gana Muhammadu for the choice of Kontagora as the training centre, saying that the location is strategic at improving security in the region.
According to him, the state government was exploring all avenues to curtail the surge in banditry and terrorist attacks in some parts of the state, hence the need for such partnerships with security agencies.
He reaffirmed the commitment of his government to bring to an end the nefarious activities of bandits and terrorists while also expressing his sympathy and condolence to the affected parts of the state, especially Rafi, Shiroro, Munya, and Borgu local government areas.
The NSCDC Commandant General, Gana Muhammadu appreciated the support of the present administration in the state since its inception.
He announced that the centre would be used to train agro rangers as efforts will be intensified to meet a target of 100,000 agro-rangers, so as to give physical support to farmers.
Gana pointed out that similar training was done in Katsina state and it resulted to a drop in cases of kidnapping of farmers following the deployment of the trainees to various states.
The CG said the training of the agro-rangers will strengthen security and guarantee agro-allied-investment.
The facilities provided by the state government for the take off of the NSCDC training centre include, nine units of three bedroom bungalows; one white house consisting of 5-bedrooms; block of six boys quarters; one accountable hall, parade ground and a gateman.
