N70m paid as ransom by Kagara residents

The Niger State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar, has disclosed that over N70 million has been paid as ransom to terrorists by residents of Kagara in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The commissioner disclosed this while presenting a lecture whose theme was “Insecurity in Niger State-The Way Out” at a one-day public lecture organised by the Niger State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) to commemorate Niger State at 46.

According to the commissioner, the activities of the bandits have caused economic doom in the state as more money is in the hands of the informal sector than the formal sector.

The Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Garba Attahiru Gunna in a message to the occasion, described the lecture as apt, saying that the state needs immediate intervention to address the state of insecurity.

The Niger State Council NUJ Chairman, Comrade Abu Nmodu said the lecture was to chart a way forward and proffer a lasting solution to the menace of insecurity.

He stated that the public lecture was organised to commemorate the creation of Niger State 46 years ago, describing the present situation as alarming and needs to be addressed.