Shiroro youths issue 2-week ultimatum to Niger to stop banditry

Youths from Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state have expressed displeasure over the nonchalant attitude of the state government towards their continuous calls for help over the incessant attacks by bandits.

The youths, who stormed the Correspondents Chapel secretariat of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in Minna on Monday, spoke through their co- convener of Concerned Shiroro Youths, Alhaji Ibrahim Bello.

In a strong worded address, the co-convener stated thus: “May we state emphatically that in the next two weeks, if something tangible is not urgently and holistically done by government to address these insecurity challenges, as concerned Shiroro youths, we shall be left with no option than mobilize our people to henceforth abdicate from any civic responsibility”

He added that civil disobedience will be the order of the day as according to him, “it will be immaterial, inconsequential and of no effect whatsoever to continue paying civil allegiance to Government that cannot ordinarily guarantee our safety and security.”

Ibrahim, who said Shiroro people have a long history of peace and tolerance, was quick to add that “our people are law abiding and accommodating. It is worrisome that criminal elements are exploiting our disposition to hunt and hurt our defenseless citizens.”

The co-convener while citing an example with the press statement issued by the presidential spokesman, Malam Garba Shehu, on bandits attacks in Katsina, the convener accused Mr. President over selective concern over banditry in the state.

“Let it be known that Shiroro Local Government is facing its biggest security threat since time immemorial.

“We therefore, call on the government to rise to its biding of protecting lives and properties as further escalation will be interpreted to mean dereliction of responsibilities and total neglect of Shiroro Local Government by the appropriate authorities.

“For the umpteenth time we are helpless, hopeless, and helpless,” he added.

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He stressed further that the youths have consistently drawn the attention of government at all levels to the plight of Shiroro people.

He maintained that the youth have explored all formal and informal platforms in reaching out to the government to rise to its primary responsibility of protecting lives and properties, albeit, the reverse is the case.

Shiroro Local Government with land mass of about 5,015 square kilometer according to him, is larger than Lagos state with a land mass of about 3,577 square kilometer.

“It is therefore, unfortunate that government will be incapacitated in salvaging our land,” he stressed.