Senator Mohamed Sani, representing Niger East Senatorial District and Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, rejected the establishment of a state police force.
Mr. Sani opined that once a security force is established, the political class will take advantage of it.
He argued that what was needed was to adequately fund existing police structures, adding that the resources available to local governments were insufficient to fund state police.
The lawmaker expressed his reservations during a visit to an internally displaced person camp in Kuta to commiserate with the people about the bandit attacks.
He appealed to military commanders to extend the ongoing onslaught against banditry in Niger as well as in Zamfara state.
In his address to internally displaced persons, the senator said efforts were underway to strengthen security in troubled areas of the state to enable the return of internally displaced persons.
He appealed to military leaders to expand anti-banditry operations in Niger State to include anti-banditry operations in Zamfara State.
Naija News understands that the IDP camp in Kuta is housing more than 3,000 displaced persons, most of them women and children. There is growing concern that facilities in the camps are insufficient to meet basic needs.
Esther Jonah, a community health worker for internally displaced persons, said children frequently die due to inadequate medical care and hygiene.
Hadiza Umar, a mother of six, was forced to leave her village four years ago after her husband was killed and her food bank destroyed by bandits.
