Asks police to use force on thugs, criminals
From John Adams, Minna
Worried by the activities of some miscreants suspected to be political thugs within Minna, the Niger state capital and its environs, the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello, has ordered the Nigerian Police to employ the use of force against those found to be disturbing the peace of the state.
The Governor made it clear that the government can no longer condole the activities of some criminal elements that have continue to disturb the peace of the state in recent time, saying that any act of violence will henceforth be met with force.
Minna and is environs have been under siege for months now from some criminally minded youths carrying dangerous weapons and unleashing terror on innocent people on the streets, forcing the government to impose curfew in Minna Metropolis.
A number of people have been killed and several others injured since the streets fighting among these youths began in he state, which has paralyzed commercial activities in Minna, the state capital.
The Governor, in a statement by his commissioner for internal security and humanitarian affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umar on Tuesday evening directed and authorized the Police and other security agencies to began he use of force against those involved in the act of thuggery and criminality in the state.
According to the Governor, “anyone found with a dangerous weapon in a public place destroying public properties and attacking the Police or any law abiding citizen must be met with equal force”.
The Governor in the state, further directed the Police and other security agencies to protect themselves against any form of violence from these criminals, thugs, and hoodlums who have been constituting a nuisance in the metropolis.
He warned parents/guardians to prevail on their wards to desist from this act of thuggery as the State Government will not fold it’s arms and allow the breaking of law and order in the State, adding that no Individual or group can hold the government and the people to ransom.