Kebbi State Government Secures Release of 12 Detainees from Benin Republic

By Umar Faruk Birnin Kebbl 

The Kebbi State Government has successfully secured the release of 12 indigenes of Dole-Kaina, Dandi Local Government Area, who were detained by the authorities of the Republic of Benin last year. The released detainees were presented to Governor Nasir Idris at Kamba, headquarters of Dandi Local Government, during his thank-you visit to the area.

According to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Special Duties, Alhaji Shafi'u Zauro, the detainees were arrested and detained by the Benin Republic authorities one year ago. Zauro recalled that Governor Nasir Idris had mandated him and another official to travel to Benin Republic to secure the release of the detainees. Although they hired a lawyer, they were unable to obtain their freedom until the governor's personal intervention during his visit to Benin Republic.

Zauro presented the released detainees to the governor and announced a personal donation of N5 million to assist them in restarting their business ventures. Mallam Yusha'u, who spoke on behalf of the detainees, expressed their gratitude to the governor for securing their freedom and ensuring their safe return to their families.

Governor Nasir Idris expressed his delight at the release of the detainees, which he described as part of his humanitarian services. He announced plans to construct additional roads in the local government and open up rural areas. The governor also promised to provide free agricultural inputs to farmers, including improved seeds, fertilizer, water pumping machines, and power tillers for irrigation farming, starting from January 2025.

In a related development, Governor Nasir Idris informed the people of Arewa Local Government that work on the electrification of Kangiwa border town with Niger Republic would commence in two weeks' time. He made the announcement during his thank-you visit to the area. The governor also announced that he had awarded contracts for the reconstruction of the collapsed bridge on the major Birnin Kebbi - Makera link road to Niger Republic, as well as the rehabilitation of other roads, including Kangiwa, Cibike and others.