Fire Criminals on Sight – Niger to Security Operatives
Niger state government has given go-ahead to security operatives to shoot at sight criminals or hoodlums caught in action with dangerous weapons threatening law abiding citizens in the streets of Minna, the state capital and environs.
This was part of resolutions at a stakeholders’ meeting which took place at the palace of the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Farouk Bahago to end the increasing spate of attacks on innocent citizens especially in the evenings.
The meeting which was at the instance of Chanchaga Local Government Area (LGA), is aimed at ensuring that innocent Nigerlites go about their normal businesses without fear of molestation
Sources findings reveal that, movements in some locations within Minna metropolis especially during the Sallah festivities have become increasingly difficult due to the activities of criminals attacking people both day and night.
Places like; Kpakungu roundabout, Keteren-Gwari, Obasanjo shopping complex, Minna Central mosque, angwuan-daji, through Mobil roundabout, Bosso road market and Mypa junction have become unsafe for pedestrians as from 7pm as they risk losing their phones, hand bags and other valuables.
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Places around old airport road/ behind Bomas super market have also become unsafe as residents count their loses due to the activities of criminals who attack their victims with dangerous weapons and made away with cash and other personal items including those going for tahajud prayers.
The hoodlums operating in groups of three and five mostly engage in stabbing their victims and snatching phones, hand bags and laying siege of shop/kiosks owners and forcing them to part with their money or the day’s sales at gun point.
“We no longer go out once it is getting dark, or once it is 7pm because of criminals who come here to operate and run away”, a resident around the gate leading into the old airport which now serves as one of the exit from the Kure market laments.
Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the Minna Metro Security Watch, Musa Adamu Maikudi Achaza, a traditional minister (Special duties) to the Emir of Minna), confirmed the resolutions to journalists.
As part of strategies to stem rising crime rate within Minna metropolis, Achaza said security operatives have also launched house-to-house search to get those indicted in crimes arrested and subsequently prosecuted.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Niger state Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, also confirmed that the police arrested some of the hoodlums involved in different forms of crime at various locations within Minna metropolis.
