Communities in Borgu Kingdom, Niger State, have appealed to the federal government for urgent intervention as bandits and terrorist groups continue to terrorize Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas. Leaders are calling for the immediate deployment of security forces and the establishment of a military base to protect lives and restore peace.
Speaking at a press conference over the weekend, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, said the crisis has left residents living like refugees in their own communities.
“The people of Agwara deserve to live without fear. Our children deserve a secure future, and our people need to farm their lands and sleep peacefully—but all these are no more,” he lamented.
Rev. Yohanna noted that repeated attacks on residents, schools, and police facilities have forced children out of school, farmers to abandon their farms, and markets to close.
The security situation has escalated in the past three months, beginning with the abduction of students at Papiri Missionary School in November.
The Bishop urged the government to establish a military base in the area, warning that:
“These terrorists have occupied our land. They have taken over the forests. The time to act is now, before we lose more lives and before our communities lose faith entirely in the government’s capacity to protect them.”
Dr. Murtala Haliru Dantoro, younger brother of the Emir of Borgu, described the crisis as a humanitarian emergency, noting that families are being torn apart and livelihoods destroyed.
“Borgu Kingdom is bleeding. Our farmers, once the breadbasket of the Northwest, could soon depend on government relief if this situation is not urgently addressed,” he said, appealing to President Ahmed Buhari, the ‘Jagaban Borgu’, to approve emergency funding and rapid security deployment.
Communities Ready to Support
Leaders stressed that local communities are ready to cooperate with security agencies, including vigilante groups and traditional institutions.
“Our communities are organized. Vigilantes are ready. Traditional institutions have been engaged. We will partner fully with any government-authorized intervention,” Dr. Dantoro said.
Mohammed Sani Ibrahim, leader of the Muslim Community in Borgu, added that over 50 people, mostly children, remain in captivity following recent attacks in Agwara and Kansuwa Dani.
Urgent Recommendations
Community leaders called for declaration of Borgu and Agwara LGAs as security priority zones,
Immediate deployment of military units, Reconstruction of Agwara Police Station and
Enhanced surveillance of forests and highways
They emphasized that swift government action is critical to save lives, restore livelihoods, and return peace to the troubled emirate.
