Governor Umar Muhammed Bago has lamented over the adverse effect activities of bandits, cattle rustlers, illegal miners and others have had on residents of the state.
Speaking when the Commandant General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Dr. Ahmed Abubakar Audi paid him a visit, Bago disclosed that farmers are the worst hit as many of them have abandoned their farmlands due to fear of being attacked.
He said;
“Niger State is being referred to as the food basket of the country largely due to our largest land mass in the country which is also suitable for agriculture and being made use by the government and a large percentage of the people.
“But the growing security concern meant that our people are constantly at the mercy of bandits and other criminal elements.”