By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief Noemrth Central, in Minna)
Gbeganu community, in Chanchaga Local Government Area (LGA), Niger state has raised alarm over incessant attacks, leading to loss of properties to criminals in the area.
The people said their problems are further compounded by the current insecurity bedeviling the area due to lack of security presence following the closure of the only existing office of the local vigilante group, ADC in the area.
Findings by NIGERIAN NEWSLEADER Newspaper also indicates that the existing office of ADC was ordered to be closed down by the community leader, Alhaji Aliyu Usman over minor misunderstanding, and without due process, this, according to the findings, has raised suspicion among his subjects.
The people who are calling on the Governor and the Niger State Government to come to their rescue, said their lives, that of their family members and properties are no longer safe. They also said that they have been sleeping with one eye open since the closure of the vigilante office.
Due to lack of security presence Gbeganu people have been living in fear of attacks by hoodlums terrorizing the area with increase in broad daylight stealing, house bugling and related vices.
A resident of the area, Mallam Nazir Saidu, recalled how he almost lost cash and other personal belongings to the criminals who operate day and night unchallenged.
Saidu who however commended the community leader for setting up a committee comprising of the four major languages in the state; Gbagyi (Gwari), Nupe, Hausa and Yoruba to ensure peace, advised the Niger state and local governments to provide working tools including arms for the vigilante to function. He said criminals knows that the vigilantees are unarmed hence their attacks.
For effective and efficient service delivery, Saidu said it is very necessary for the security outfit to be empowered to challenge the criminals who carry out attacks at nights with guns and other deadly weapons unchallenged.
The people are also pleading with the Chanchaga Local Chairman, Alhaji Aminu Yakubu Ladan to prevail on the community leader, Alhaji Aliyu Usman to consider security interests of his subjects above that of his. NNL.
