Lawmaker Laments Killings in Niger

Malam Ibrahim Isah, Member, representing Rijau constituency, said that no fewer than 17 people were killed by armed bandits in three communities of Rijau local government areas of Niger.

Isah, during the Niger state House of Assembly plenary on Thursday in Minna, said that the incident occurred on Tuesday.

He said that armed bandits raided Genu, Warare and Shambo communities, killing 17 people and abducted an undisclosed number of persons.

The lawmaker called on the house to quickly intervene in the security challenges bedeviling the local government and the state at large.

Malam Shuaibu Liman, member representing Suleja Constituency moved a motion calling on the house to engage the executive arms of government on the abduction of students at Tegina Islamic School.

Liman said it was worrisome that children between the ages of three and 11 were still in the hands of their abductors.

“Since the abduction of these children while we were on strike, now that the strike has been suspended and we have resumed, it is time to intervene.

“Our constituents will want to know the action, we as their representatives have taken to ensure the quick and safe release of these children.

“I know we have other cases of insecurity in the state, but this one is concerning little children and the predicament they have been subjected to. I believe if we intervene, there will be positive outcome,” he said.

Liman urged the house to set up a special committee to engage the state government to know the decision and measures it had taken to ensure the release of the children.

Responding, the Speaker, Abdullah Bawa, said it was necessary for the house to look at insecurity bedeviling the state and how it had grounded economic activities.

Bawa, represented by his Deputy, Mr Jibrin Baba, constituted a seven-man committee to engage the state government and report back to the house on June 24.