TheCable

Umar Bago, governor of Niger, has declared a state of emergency in the state, after two persons were killed during an attack by thugs in the Maitumbi area of Minna, the state’s capital.

The hoodlums attacked residents and raided several shops in the area on Friday.

Confirming the incident to TheCable, Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in the state, said six persons have been arrested in connection with the crime.

Abiodun said the police are making efforts to secure the arrest of the remaining suspects who are on the run.

“Two killed. Police patrol teams responded and about six persons were arrested. However, monitoring continues with a view to arresting other fleeing miscreants,” he said.

Speaking with journalists during the annual durbar festival on Sunday, Bago said he has issued a “shoot at sight” order to security operatives.

The governor blamed the unrest on artisanal miners, adding that “maximum force” has been adopted to tackle the situation.

“I have declared a state of emergency on any thug found within the metropolis and even within the state. We have zero tolerance for rascality and thuggery,” he said.

“Those artisanal miners that are causing this havoc within the town, we have closed their sites, we are using maximum force to curtail their activities and we are not going to go back on our words.

“We have said any house found housing the thugs should be demolished and any thug found with any weapon should be dealt with accordingly.”