Niger Assembly Takes Strong Stance Against Thuggery and Youth Restlessness in the State
By Yahaya Zakka, Minna
Concerned about the increasing cases of thuggery and youth unrest in Niger State, particularly in the capital, Minna, the Niger State House of Assembly has pledged to revise existing laws to bring the situation under control.
Following a three-hour closed-door meeting with the Commissioner of Police, the Commandant of the Nigerian Civil Defense, and heads of other security agencies on Tuesday, the Assembly stated it would not hesitate to introduce legislation that would make thuggery a capital offense in the state.
Speaking with journalists after the meeting, the Speaker of the Assembly, Rt. Hon. Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, expressed that the activities of youths involved in thuggery, which are terrorizing innocent citizens in Minna, have crossed a critical threshold. He emphasized that decisive action is urgently needed to address this menace.
The Speaker warned that any politician or individual found to be sponsoring these miscreants causing chaos in the state would be exposed and dealt with according to state laws.
He remarked, “As representatives of the people, we cannot stand by and allow criminals hiding under thuggery to make life miserable for our citizens.”
He noted with regret that while the current administration is striving to combat insecurity resulting from the activities of bandits and insurgents, another form of security challenge—thuggery—is now emerging.
The Speaker highlighted that beyond the threats to life and property, the activities of these criminals could undermine the government’s successes in infrastructural transformation and investment initiatives.
“No investor will want to come to an insecure environment, which is why we cannot allow the current situation to derail the ‘New Niger Agenda’ of the present administration,” he stated.
Sarkindaji confirmed that the Assembly would revisit all necessary laws and consider making thuggery a capital offense, as many lives have already been lost due to such activities.
“We will make it difficult for these criminals disguising as thugs to operate. The state will no longer tolerate any act of thuggery,” he asserted.
He also assured that the state House of Assembly would provide the state police command with the support it needs to address the current situation, adding, “We will liaise with the executive arm of the government to ensure that the necessary logistics are provided to the police and other security agencies in the state.”
