Our Reporters
After waiting endlessly for government to forestall further attacks by bandits in Shiroro Local Government in Niger State, individuals in the communities rallied together to negotiate a ceasefire deal with their attackers.
Some communities in Niger State have been besieged by bandits for months with many residents abandoning their homes, while many more losing their lives, with an unspecified number of persons abducted.
An unanimous police source, who did not want to be quoted said that investigations revealed that in a means to survive some of the residents are been forced to pay a token to the bandits to ensure their safety.
Commenting on the development, co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki, said all communities and villages in Gurmana and Manta districts of Shiroro, have negotiated with bandits.
“Virtually all Communities and Villages in Gurmana and Manta Districts of Shiroro local government, Niger State, have negotiated with terrorists for a ceasefire.
“They have reached agreement to paying a certain amount of money, among other conditions, including purchasing Honda Motorcycles for the bandits.
“Also, some Communities and Villages in Bassa/Kukoki Ward have have followed suit by agreeing to pay certain amount of money among others while the bandits suspend their nefarious activities,” he said.
Journalists gathered that depending on the request of the gunmen, some villages pay as much as N2million in addition to other demands of the group.
Lamenting their plight, some residents said they prefer remitting revenue to bandits than government, in order for peace to reign.
They alleged that government does not care about their security and welfare.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for comments as of the time of filing this report as his mobile telephone was switched off.