The Digest:
Communities in Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas of Niger State are facing escalating attacks from terrorist groups exploiting forest corridors and the Kainji National Park, which borders Kwara and Benin. Recent incidents include the abduction of students from a Papiri Catholic school, killings in Wawa, and the burning of a church and police station in Agwara. Residents report living in constant fear, criticizing government responses as inadequate. Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has visited the area and pledged security reinforcement, while local leaders and a prince of the Borgu Emirate are calling for urgent federal intervention, intelligence-led operations, and the conversion of unused land for agriculture to curb the violence.
Key Points:
- Persistent insecurity is displacing communities, disrupting livelihoods, and eroding public trust in state protection.
- The use of national parks and forest reserves as terrorist hideouts complicates security operations and cross-border coordination.
- Inadequate and reactive security measures fail to address the root causes or provide lasting safety for affected residents.
- Calls for federal action highlight the need for integrated military, police, and community-based strategies.
- Converting idle land to agricultural use could reduce poverty-driven informant networks and create economic stability.
A sustainable solution will require coordinated federal and state action, including forest clearance, permanent security deployment, and socio-economic investment in the region.
Sources: Daily Post Nigeria
TAGS
Niger State, Borgu Emirate,
