By a statement released by National Publicity Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), the party said it is alarmed by the recent escalation of banditry in Niger State as well as other parts of the country, alleging that many of those involved in the acts are mercenaries allegedly brought in by the APC for the 2019 election.
“The public space is awash with reports that many of these bandits terrorizing Nigerians were political mercenaries brought in by the All Progressive Congress (APC) from neighbouring countries to help it enforce the rigging of the 2019 elections, but which the APC and its leaders failed to settle after the elections, leaving them to unleash their frustrations on innocent Nigerians,” a statement by Kola Ologbondiyan, National Publicity Secretary on Wednesday said
The PDP urged the APC to speak out on the reports and take immediate steps to “settle their political mercenaries, return them to wherever they brought them from and bring an end to this gruesome attacks on Nigerians.”
It blamed the rising incidents of kidnappings and abductions on the failure of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led APC administration to take decisive steps to tackle the scourge.
The statement further stated that “Nigerians were jolted by the Tuesday’s coordinated bandit attacks, kidnapping and killings in several communities in Niger State.“Bandits were reported to have on Tuesday, moved from village to village, supported by a helicopter, as they pillaged our compatriots, sacked major highways and held communities in Niger state hostage for several hours without any counter-attack.
“The PDP describes as revealing that while the people of Niger state and Nigerians in other states were under attack by bandits, APC leaders, including those in Niger state, were busy pursuing their party’s phoney membership re-registration exercise, instead of rallying security and rescue efforts for the people.
“The lethargic stance of the APC administration towards the fight against banditry further validates reports in the public space that the bandits are connected to the APC and enjoying cover under the ruling party.
“This probably explains why the APC never raised a strong voice against what has become a national calamity. Instead, APC leaders are patronizing the bandits and making excuses for them.”
The PDP further urged Nigerians to “remain vigilant and wary of the APC and its activities.”
