The Governor of Niger State, Umar Bago, has announced in Kontogora, the northern senatorial district’s headquarters, a plan to recruit and arm 1,000 youths from each of the 25 local government areas of the state to confront terrorists and bandits operating within the State.
These recruits will receive training from the military to prepare them for confronting the armed groups destabilizing the region. The mostly affected districts, including; Borgu, Magama, and Kontogora, have seen terror groups gaining control over much of the territory, forcing many residents to flee their homes for safety.
Governor Bago rejects negotiating with the terror groups, opting instead for a mass recruitment strategy to support federal security forces. The governor views the recruitment as a necessary, proactive measure to counter the escalating violence and protect terrorized local government areas.
He made clear the strategy gives these youths authority to take action without waiting to be attacked first.
The youth we recruit will not wait for the terrorists to come to them. They will locate them and take the fight to the enemy. Our people have lived in fear for too long. This plan brings hope that we can defend ourselves and reclaim our homes – Governor Bago
The governor has urged state and federal support to sustain the program and called on youths to commit fully to protecting their homeland.
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