The Niger government will renovate the 31 Artillery Brigade officers quarters in Minna, Gov. Sani Bello has promised.
The governor made the promise on Friday during a condolence visit to 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army in Kaduna.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Bello was in Kaduna to condole the command over the loss of their colleagues in a communal clash that occurred in Niger state.
NAN recalled that 11 soldiers and seven civilians lost their lives in the clash between the Army and Gbagyi community in Bosso local government area of Niger on Aug. 4.
The governor, who described the incident as `unfortunate,’ called for collaboration between the security agencies to prevent criminals from hijacking the state.
“Niger state is a peaceful state and we have not experienced such incidents in the past years.
“The government will continue to support the army to discharge their national duty.
“I know it is the responsibility of the Federal government to renovate the quarters, but as a state, we have a responsibility of ensuring the comfort of the army because they are serving us,” he said.
Bello said that the state Ministry of Works would be saddled with the task of carrying out the project.
In his response, the General Officer Commanding the division, Gen. Adeniyi Oyebade, commended the Niger government for commiserating with the division over the loss of its officers.
He said that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) had mandated the army to tackle the security challenges in the region and also ensure the return of peace to the North-East.
“Without security, it is difficult for development to take place.
“The step to renovate our officers’ quarters will go along with the efforts of the Chief of Army Staff to rehabilitate officers’ quarters across the region.
“There are plans by the Brigade command operation unit to support Niger state government to tackle security challenges by raiding criminal hideouts in the state,” Oyebade said. (NAN)