Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, and his entourage narrowly escaped a potentially disastrous encounter with terrorists last Sunday when they inadvertently ventured into a terrorist-controlled area in the Igade (Mashegu LGA) and Bangi (Mariga LGA) regions......Read The Full Article>>.....Read The Full Article>>
The close call occurred during the governor’s ongoing tour of local communities in the Niger North Senatorial District, where he has been inspecting various development projects and engaging with residents.
On that particular day, Governor Bago was inspecting a five-kilometre road project in Igade, announcing plans to extend the road to Mariga Local Government Area. He also pledged to rehabilitate health centers in the region to improve healthcare access for the local population. However, as the governor and his team were returning to Kotangora, sources close to the entourage revealed that they inadvertently entered an area controlled by terrorists. Realizing the perilous situation, the convoy swiftly altered their route, narrowly avoiding a potential confrontation with the armed militants.
One anonymous source, speaking under the condition of anonymity for security reasons, confirmed that the convoy had taken a wrong turn and found themselves near the Bangi and Igade axis, which has been known to be under the control of bandits. “They missed their road and found themselves around the Bangi and Igade axis controlled by bandits,” the source said.
Another individual familiar with the governor’s security arrangements explained that the convoy’s security team quickly recognized the danger. “The security operatives observed that the area was not safe, and they immediately advised the convoy to back off,” the source explained. “It was when they were trying to turn and take another route that the bandits fired at them.” Fortunately, the security team was able to repel the terrorists, and some of the assailants were reportedly killed, while others retreated into nearby forests.
The Bangi and Igade areas have been hotspots for terrorist activity, with multiple attacks reported in recent months. In October, terrorists killed three locals along the Bangi-Kontonkkoro road. The victims were said to be on their way to the market when they were ambushed. The same month, a police officer attached to the Police Divisional Headquarters was killed in a firefight with terrorists, according to Mariga LGA Chairman, Abbas Adamu. The bandits have also infiltrated several wards in the area, including Gulbin Boka, Bangi, Kotonkoro, Igwama, Galma Wamba, and Maburya.
In another brutal attack in November, terrorists killed seven farmers and set fire to 50 bags of maize in Bangi, exacerbating the already tense security situation in the region. These incidents underscore the persistent threat posed by terrorists in the area, which has seen multiple attacks on both civilians and security forces alike.
The story of Governor Bago’s close encounter with terrorists was initially reported by Prestige FM in Minna on December 3. A few hours after the broadcast, Mustapha Bina, a freelance journalist at the station, was reportedly targeted by operatives from the State Security Services (SSS). They raided the station’s premises in search of Bina, although he was not there at the time.
The SSS later invited the journalist for questioning, where he was grilled for several hours. Bina explained to Premium Times that the operatives attempted to force him to reveal his sources, an experience he described as “demoralizing.” He was released later that day, reportedly thanks to the intervention of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) and fellow members of the correspondents’ chapel.
Despite the reports, the Niger State government has dismissed the claims of an attack on the governor’s convoy as false. The Chief Press Secretary to the governor, Ibrahim Bologi, issued a statement on social media, asserting that the governor’s tour of Niger North had been uneventful and that no threats or attacks had been encountered. “The convoy of the farmer Governor has been having a smooth tour of ongoing projects across the Niger North Senatorial District since last week,” Bologi stated. He emphasized that there had been no incident of attack or threat to the safety of Governor Bago or his team.
The conflicting accounts raise concerns about the situation in Niger State, where insecurity from terrorist groups and bandits has become a persistent challenge. While the government maintains that the governor’s tour was peaceful, the growing reports of violent incidents in the region highlight the ongoing security risks faced by both officials and residents.
