Niger State Governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has issued out a stern warning to anybody or group of miscreants and troublemakers against any attempt to breach the relative peace and tranquility in the state, insisting that Niger state is for all Nigerians.

The Governor said that the unfortunate security challenges in the South East of the country fuelled by hate speeches, violent agitation, rumour and sentiment on social media, should not be basis for any attempt at reprisal attack on innocent citizens.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Malam Jibrin Baba Ndace, Governor Sani Bello noted that it was the duty of the state government, first, to protect lives and property of its citizens and would, therefore not compromise in carrying out its constitutional responsibility.

The Governor stated that the state security apparatus have been mobilised to immediately commence patrol, particularly within the areas identified as hotspot, to nip in the bud any attempt to cause civil disobedience and unrest in the state.

Governor Sani Bello said the state government would not fold its arms and allow some overzealously repugnant individuals hold people to ransom by instilling fear, anxiety and tension amongst them for their selfish end.

“Nigerlites are a peaceful people and very accommodating to all Nigerians irrespective of their socio-political and ethnic divide. Therefore, anybody caught trying to cause trouble will be regarded as a criminal trying to institute anarchy in order to vandalise and loot people’s property.”

“Niger State is very central in Nigeria’s evolution and has always been a melting pot of people from various part of the world. Some of the prominent Igbos who became reference points in Nigeria’s political history were indigenes of Niger State by birth. Both Chief Nnamdi Azikiwe, Owelle of Onitsha, and Chief Odumegwu Ojukwu were born in Zungeru, Niger State.”

He called on all citizens not to panic because of the happenings in the South East but to be law abiding and go about their legitimate businesses assuring of their safety against any potential threats to their lives and properties.

“I enjoin all of you to go about your normal, daily activities and to be rest assured that the state government, in collaboration with the security agencies, will apprehend, isolate and deal decisively with anyone who attempts to create disaffection and breach of peace amongst our people.”

Governor Sani Bello used the opportunity to also remind the citizens to remain proactively vigilant and assist the security agencies by promptly reporting any suspicious activity and or criminality within their locality. He appealed to citizens to shun sentiment and rumour especially on the social media.

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