Bago refutes report on ban of alcohol in Niger State

Niger State governor Umaru Muhammed Bago has faulted news reports that alcohol has been banned in Suleja and eight other local governments for sharing boundaries with suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Bago in a statement he signed described the story as a figment of the imagination of mischief makers in the state.

Reports purportedly signed by one unknown secretary of the state’s Liquor and Licencing Board, Malam Ibrahim Mohammed claimed that the ban of alcohol takes immediate effect on Monday in Suleja and eight other local governments sharing blurred boundaries with suburbs of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

Bago however stated that such a board was not in existence and dissolved a long time ago adding whoever was claiming to be its secretary was an impostor and on his own.

He noted that there was no time he authorized such directive.

“The board in question has not been constituted as we speak, it was dissolved long time ago and we are yet to constitute another board,” he said.

“The so called official cannot speak on behalf of the state government. He is unknown to the state government. The state government did not authorize the ban of alcohol.

“I hereby urge the citizenry irrespective of their religious and ethnic leanings to go about their businesses without let or hindrances.”

The governor remarked that his resolve to sign the 2024 budget in an expeditious manner was in line with the quest to reposition the state to achieve sustainable growth and development in the state.