By Aminu Kutama
Niger State Governor and Chairman North Central States Governors Forum (NCSGF), Abubakar Sani Bello, has charged the Joint Security Taskforce in the state to urgently put an end to the incessant armed banditry, kidnappings and wanton attacks on several communities at Gulu in the Lapai Local Government Area.
Reacting to an attack by gunmen on General Hospital Gulu early morning of today, Bello, in a statement, urged the taskforce to launch a sporadically coordinated onslaught in order to overcome the bandits and sanitize the area as soon as possible.
Condemning the attack where some persons were killed, people including medical personnel were abducted, he described the development as regrettable, callous, and inhuman.
The Governor lamented the spate of insecurity in the Gulu axis of the state, especially targeting the hospital calls for swift, intensified security operation in order not to hamper the smooth healthcare delivery in the area.
“We are deeply concerned about the recent rise in armed banditry and kidnappings in Gulu communities when we are rejoicing and consolidating in the successes so far recorded in other affected areas, but as a responsible government we’ll not rest on our oars until we triumph over evil,” he stated.
He commiserated with the families of the deceased and assured that the state government, in close collaboration with security agencies, will do everything humanly possible to secure the release of those abducted and also ensure that all those who fled during the attacks return to their homes.
Recall that bandits, in recent months, have intensified attacks on Gulu town and other adjoining communities, killing many people, abducting several others while stealing their foodstuff and setting ablaze their settlements.