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Niger bloodbath: Gov Bello orders Military to handover arrested persons to police

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Niger bloodbath: Gov Bello orders Military to handover arrested persons to police

Niger State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello has ordered the military to immediately release all persons arrested over the killing of 12 military personnel in Bosso Local Government Area of the state to the police for thorough investigation.

The governor, who stated this in a broadcast on Sunday, also said the state government was setting up a judicial commission of inquiry to look into the circumstances that lead to the incident.

It would be recalled that 12 military personnel were reportedly killed in a shootout with gun runners in three villages in Bosso Local Government area last week.

Governor Bello said in the broadcast: “I have directed that all persons arrested by the military be released to the Police for thorough investigation. I have also visited the affected communities to commiserate with the people and have on-the-spot assessment of the situation. I have directed the Police to provide adequate security through regular patrol of the affected areas.”

The governor, who assured residents of the state of adequate security of lives and properties, stated that based on preliminary investigation and Security Council meeting, government was setting up a judicial commission of inquiry.

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“In view of the preliminary reports of the ad-hoc committee and decisions reached at various meetings by the Security Council, machinery has been put in place to constitute a judicial commission of inquiry to further look into the matter. In keeping faith with the oath that I swore to as your elected Governor, I remain committed to ensuring safety of all in Niger State; after all, every life, whether civilian or military is important. We are determined to providing a safe and secured Niger State for all. So I call on all Nigerlites to remain focused especially at these trying times in our collective efforts to transform the state using our shared vision with unlimited opportunities.

“Let me at this point call on the security agencies to be professional in carrying out their Constitutional responsibilities. I enjoin them to intensify their efforts in sustaining peace and security of the state through inter-agency collaboration and intelligence gathering. I urge the security agents to build a new and robust, mutually beneficial relationship with various critical stakeholders in the state.

“It is clear that since this unfortunate incident occurred, our focus as a government is to find peaceful resolution. We know when states or nations face challenges either security or economy; leaders join hands to proffer solution. That is what we have been doing. That is what we will continue to do. This is no time for politics and blame game.”

By Timothy Enietan-Matthews

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