From Dan Amasingha, Minna.

Niger State Government has lamented that the unending banditry attacks on some communities in the state has stalled the execution of developmental projects and policies of government.

Chief press Secretary to Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, Mrs Mary Noel Berje stated this in an interview with newsmen on the heightening security challenge in the state.

“As you are aware, Niger State has been inundated with widespread security challenges that has inflicted  severe sorrow, pains and displaced many of its citizens.

“Nigerlites, particularly people of the affected communities of Shiroro, Munya, Rafi, Paikoro, Mashegu, Kontagora, Mariga and Magama local government areas are aggrieved and agitated by the wanton killings, and they have a case.

The situation, she said has remained a nightmare for the State government which she added has done and is still doing a lot, in close collaboration  with the military and other security agencies to reverse the trend.

She noted that as citizens of the state are becoming increasingly agitated over the unabating attacks, the scourge has derailed the execution of some  developmental projects and policies of the government.

“We must also acknowledge the fact that the evil activities of these terrorists have brought setback in the actualization of government projects, such as the multi-billion Naira Bobi Grazing Reserve and road projects within the affected communities.”

Emumerating some of the measures taken so far by the administration, Berje said her principal, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has supported the entire security agencies to reverse the trend.

“He signed the Vigilante Corps Law in a bid to unify the numerous voluntary local security group and give them power legally to carry arms to compliment the efforts of conventional security agencies.

“Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, more than any other governor in the Northern Region, has severally reached out to President Buhari and Services Chiefs in deliberate efforts to bring back normalcy to these parts of the state,”she noted.

The CPS disclosed that, the current military  operation in the State  as directed by the President for an extensive, coordinated military onslaught against the terrorist, is the result of his constant consultation and She further stated that the Bello administration has been supporting the internally displaced persons with relief materials and  personally visited some of the affected  communities to empathize with the victims.

Meanwhile, the Niger State government has announced reward for those who are ready to supply credible intelligence on terrorists in the state.