Bandit Not Governor In Niger State – Niger State Police Debunks Claim

The Niger State Police Command on Friday, debunked claim that a bandit is a “governor” in the state.

The reaction of the police followed media reports claiming that a bandit leader, Dogo Geide, had announced himself to be the governor of Niger State.

Reports say Geide had asked communities to pay allegiance to him and he in return, assured them of their security and welfare.

According to a statement issued by the command’s spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, such utterance only existed in the imagination of the author.

“Niger State Police Command wishes to respond to a publication circulating in some social media platforms that “Notorious bandit declared self as Governor in Niger State.

“The command wishes to state categorically with all sense of responsibility that such publication is false in its entirety, and it only exists in the figment of the imagination of the author.

“The joint security teams in the state in collaboration with the State Government are working assiduously to address the security challenges at hand, while tactical teams are placed at strategic locations within the volatile areas for security coverage,” Abiodun stated.

The police spokesman also called on members of the public to ignore such publications, saying it is an attempt by mischief makers to cause panic through propaganda.

Abiodun also urged newsmen to desist from peddling such propaganda through their various platforms, as respected fourth estate of the realm.

In other news, Kanyi Daily reported that West African regional bloc, ECOWAS has told Niger’s coup leaders that it was “not too late” to reconsider their position in the face of calls for them to return the country to civilian rule.

The regional body said the use of military force was still “very much on the table”.

President of, the ECOWAS Commission, Omar Alieu Touray, stated this while speaking with reporters in Abuja on Friday.