Governor Umaru Bago of Niger has cautioned farmers in Shiroro local government to restrict their movements to farmland to avert explosion from Improvised Explosive Devices planted by bandits.
The governor issued the warning during the 2024 Base Socio-Cultural Activities at the 013 Quick Response Force, Nigerian Air Force, Minna.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that on December 19, 2024, three bomb explosions occurred in the Bassa community of Shiroro LGA, killing one person and injuring five others.
Represented by the State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Bello Abdullahi, the governor said the military must first clear the suspected mine-laden areas before locals can resume safe movement and access their farms.
“We are warning our farmers to be careful about going to their farms for now. Bandits have hidden IEDs in the ground to cause disaster. The military must first clear the suspected mine-laden areas before local movement can resume safely,” Mr Abdullahi said.
While lamenting the growing threat posed by terrorists planting IEDs, Mr Abdullahi expressed confidence in the ongoing military efforts to curb terrorism and banditry in the state.
He also reiterated the governor’s confidence that the military would curtail and clear all the mine planted by the terrorists.
“The governor has reiterated the government’s reliance on the military to clear the areas of mines in Shiroro,” he said.
In his remarks, the commander of the 013 Quick Response Force, Austine Idoko, assured that the military would continue operations to rid the state of terrorism and banditry under the guidance of the Chief of Air Staff.
