The Social Democratic Party, SDP, in Niger State has accused Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago of allegedly placing his 2027 re-election ambition ahead of the safety and security of residents amid renewed attacks, kidnappings and killings across the state.
The party alleged that armoured personnel carriers, APCs, procured by the state government to strengthen security operations, had remained parked at the Government House for more than two years instead of being made available to security agencies.
The allegation followed the reported abduction of about 50 pupils of an Islamic school in Maikujeri, Rafi Local Government Area of the state, by suspected bandits on Saturday.
The pupils were reportedly abducted while working on a farm belonging to one of their teachers, who was also said to have been taken away by the attackers.
Reacting to the incident in a statement issued in Minna on Monday, Johnathan Vatsa, spokesperson for the SDP governorship candidate, Mohammed Ndarani Mohammed, accused the Bago administration of failing to adequately equip security agencies to confront armed groups operating in the state.
Vatsa said security personnel lacked operational vehicles and other essential equipment, arguing that the government’s response to attacks had largely been limited to condemnations and condolence messages.
He alleged that the APCs purchased to support security operations had remained unused at Government House despite persistent attacks on communities across the state.
“Who is he going to campaign to when the people are being killed or kidnapped and many rendered homeless? What are armoured vehicles meant for? Are they meant to protect the governor during campaigns?
“These important vehicles are bought with taxpayers’ money because of the security challenges in the state. The governor should release them to the security agencies to enable them to protect innocent villagers. Enough of this killing and kidnapping in the state,” Vatsa said.
He also faulted an alleged explanation that the vehicles had not been released because security agencies lacked the capacity to maintain them.
“If the government knows that the security agencies cannot maintain these vehicles, then why did you buy them? This excuse amounts to calling a dog a bad name in order to hang it.
“The governor is prioritising his personal safety over that of the larger population,” he alleged.
The SDP spokesman maintained that the latest abduction and recurring attacks across Niger State underscored what he described as inadequate security preparedness.
He urged the governor to release the armoured vehicles to security agencies and take concrete steps to protect residents instead of concentrating on political activities ahead of the 2027 elections.
Niger State has in recent years faced persistent security challenges, particularly in parts of the state bordering areas affected by banditry and other forms of criminal activity. Communities in several local government areas have suffered attacks, kidnappings and displacement, prompting calls for stronger security operations and improved logistics for security personnel.
However, the state government rejected the SDP’s allegations.
The Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nuhu Nana, dismissed claims that the armoured vehicles were being withheld by the government or reserved for use during the 2027 elections.
The commissioner’s response came as the SDP intensified its criticism of the administration over the security situation in the state.