Niger Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has warned against attack on Igbos or other tribes, insisting that the state is for all Nigerians.
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, Bello noted that it was the duty of the state government to protect lives and property of its citizens and would not compromise in carrying out its constitutional responsibility.
He stated that the state security apparatus have been mobilised to immediately commence patrol, particularly within the areas identified as hotspot, to nip in the bud any attempt to cause civil disobedience and unrest in the state.
Governor Bello said the state government would not fold its arms and allow some overzealously repugnant individuals hold people to ransom by instilling fear, anxiety and tension amongst them for their selfish end.
“Nigerlites are a peaceful people and very accommodating to all Nigerians irrespective of their sociopolitical and ethnic divide. Therefore, anybody caught trying to cause trouble will be regarded as a criminal trying to institute anarchy in order to vandalize and loot people’s property”.
“Niger state is very central in Nigeria’s evolution and has always been a melting pot of people from various part of the world. Some of the prominent Igbos who became reference point in Nigeria’s political history were indigenes of Niger state by birth. Both Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Owelle of Onitsha and Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu were born in Zungeru, Niger state.”
He called on all citizens not to panic because of the happenings in the South East but to be law abiding and go about their legitimate businesses assuring of their safety against any potential threats to their lives and properties.
“I enjoin all of you to go about your normal, daily activities and to be rest assured that the state government, in collaboration with the security agencies, will apprehend, isolate and deal decisively with anyone who attempts to create disaffection and breach of peace amongst our people”.
Bello reminded the citizens to remain proactively vigilant and assist the security agencies by promptly reporting any suspicious activity and or criminality within their locality.
He appealed to citizens to shun sentiment and rumour especially on the social media.
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