Niger State gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Umar Mohammed Bago, has acquitted himself from youth restiveness and thuggery in Minna metropolis, saying he is not a thug.
Bago, who stated this at an enlarged strategic security meeting, held at Idris Legbo Kutigi International Conference Centre, Minna, said he had never been engaged in any of such acts as being linked by people of the state.
According to him, “Anytime arrests are made, people will say it is Bago boys, but I have never asked anyone to go and cause disturbance and had never bailed anyone arrested by the security personnel before.
“I have never asked anyone to go and cause trouble or engage in an act of hooliganism. But I know how many people I have facilitated their arrest. I will never support youths’ restiveness.”
However, he said, “My prayers always is for God to help me become the next governor of the state so that I can assist the youths to have a better life by providing them with job opportunities and educational support.”
In his address, Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, who spoke through his Deputy, Alh. Ahmed Mohammed Ketso, noted that the state government has been patient and tolerant enough with the misbehaviours of the youths which would be no longer tolerated.
“We are warning them to desist from it as henceforth, anyone caught will be dealt with in accordance with the law. The responsibility of every government is to protect the life and property of the people and cannot sit and watch while some miscreants disturb the peaceful atmosphere enjoyed in Minna metropolis,” Bello warned.
He added, “The time of leniency is over and it is time to act. The state government will empower the security agencies in the state to carry out their duty diligently and come hard on youths causing unrest in Minna and its environs.
“We also call on parents to bring up their children properly, traditional and community leaders should be up and doing to curb the menace of youths’ restiveness in their various communities.”