Nigeria, Oct. 24 -- The Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago, has ruled out any negotiation or ransom payment to bandits, declaring that the state has reached a tipping point where citizens must take responsibility for defending their communities.

Mr Bago made the declaration during a visit to Rijau and Magama local government areas after bandits attacked communities in the Kontagora axis, killing several people and displacing many others.

"The state has reached a point where the people must stand up and defend themselves," the governor said. "I will not negotiate with bandits. I will not pay ransom. Paying ransom only turns kidnapping into a business."

Describing the worsening security situation as "a state of war," Mr Bago announced p...