Niger State Governor Mohammed Bago has refuted recent news reports suggesting an imminent ban on the sale of alcoholic beverages in certain parts of the state.
Earlier reports had circulated claiming that the Niger State Liquor and Licensing Board intended to enforce a complete prohibition on alcohol sales and consumption in Suleja Local Government Area and its surroundings by January 1, 2024.
During a media interaction in Minna, the Secretary of the board, Mohammed Ibrahim, was cited as hinting at this move during the Christmas period.
He mentioned plans for some bars in Minna to receive relocation notices, requiring them to move approximately eight kilometers away from the Post Office premises.
Ibrahim emphasized the board’s authority to regulate liquor vendors, citing nine LGAs as initially outlined in the prohibited areas.
However, Governor Bago personally dismissed these claims in a statement on Wednesday, stating that there currently isn’t a functioning Liquor and Licensing Board in the state.
The statement read, “The attention of the Niger State Government has been drawn to a report making the rounds of some blogs claiming that the Niger State Government, through the state’s Liquor and Licensing Board, has prohibited the sale of alcohol in nine local government areas of the state, including Suleja.
“We wish to state categorically that His Excellency, Governor Bago, who has been busy initiating and overseeing many people-centered projects across the state, never issued such a directive.
“The liquor and licensing board is yet to be constituted by the governor; as such, no directive of this kind can come from a board yet to be formed.
“In light of the above, the governor has directed security agents to arrest the self-appointed secretary of the board and to understand the motives of the imposter and the reasons behind the pronouncement.
“We invite the good public and our friends in the media to ignore any such pronouncements and to, henceforth, seek clarification from known government officials who are authorised to speak for the state and government.”
