Index to Nigerian Newspapers

Stakeholders from the Kontagora Emirate Council in Niger State have convened an emergency security summit to address the growing cases of banditry in the state.The stakeholders who have cited the recent killing of soldiers during a bloody clash  with bandits within the emirate declared that “enough is enough.”The emirate’s leadership and residents also vowed never to allow the bandits to terrorise the communities within the area.As a result, the emirate decided  to hold the emergency security summit to find what it described as “workable solutions” to ending the challenges in the area.Arewa Punch reports that the local government areas within the emirate council, made up of Kontagora, Mariga, Magama, Rijau, Wushishi and Mashegun have suffered regular attacks from gunmen suspected to be herdsmen, making life miserable for the people, particularly the farmers who, they said, have been forced to abandon their farms and homes.The Speaker further disclosed that the summit, billed for Saturday, July 5th at the Emir of Kontagora’s Palace, would serve as a platform to share insights and collaborate on strategies to adopt to overcome the security challenges and ensure the safety and well-being of the communities.

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, announced that the Federal Government is receiving international support from countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, and France to combat insurgency and secure the release of abducted students. During a visit to Saint Mary Catholic School in Niger State, where 265 students and teachers were kidnapped, he reassured parents that efforts to rescue the children were being intensified and emphasized the need for national unity against the threat posed by insurgents. Ribadu acknowledged the government's responsibility for the incident and affirmed that the abducted children would be safe and returned soon. He reiterated President Tinubu's commitment to improving security and expressed gratitude towards community leaders for their support.