In a bid to curtail criminal activities in rural areas with un-motorable terrain, the Niger State Government is to equip Police and Vigilante groups with Motorcycles for effective surveillance, check mate the rising wave of crime and enhance security in the areas.

Towards this end, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello on Wednesday at the Government House, Minna, flagged off the first phase of distribution of 90 motorcycles to vigilante groups in 3 local government areas in the state.

Muyan, Shiroro and Rafi local government areas are to benefit under the first phase od the scheme.

Governor Sani Bello explained that government decision to purchase and distribute the motorcycles was informed by the inability of security agencies and the local vigilantees to track down criminals due to road terrain of the rural areas.

“Recently we have been having security challenges in rural areas and unfortunately vehicles are not able to get to the forest due to the terrain. Hence we decided to provide our security agents and the vigilante groups with motorcycles so that they can reach these areas faced with serious security issues,” the governor stated.

The Governor then directed benefiting local government chairmen to ensure effective usage of the motorcycles, ensure proper allocation and guard against selling of the motorcycle, warning that anyone found guilty of abuse of the motorcycle will face the penalty.

Receiving the motorcycles on behalf of the local government councils, the chairman of Association of Local Government Chairmen of Nigeria (ALGON), Malam Gambo Tanko assured judicious use of the motorcycles.

Tanko, who is also the Chairman of Rafi Local Government, expressed appreciation to the state government in her bid to curtail security challenges in the state.

Each council is to have 20 motorcycles for their vigilante groups while remaining 30 motorcycles will be distributed among other security agencies.

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