Matilda Omonaiye/
Community leaders from Borgu Kingdom have raised the alarm over worsening insecurity in Agwara Local Government Area and Borgu Local Government Area, warning that unchecked attacks now threaten lives, education, farming, and public order across northern Niger State.
At a press conference in Suleja at the weekend, the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, who also chairs the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, issued a passionate plea for immediate federal intervention.
Describing the situation as “dire,” Bishop Yohanna said repeated attacks on residents, schools, and security facilities had forced children out of classrooms and farmers off their land.
“The people of Agwara deserve to live without fear. Our children deserve a secure future. Our people need to farm their lands and sleep peacefully in their homes,” he said.
He singled out Papiri town, where St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools serve more than 50 surrounding communities, urging the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base.
“We are appealing for a military presence that guarantees security at all times,” the cleric said, warning that confidence in the state’s ability to protect citizens is ebbing fast.
“The time to act is now, before we lose more lives.”
Adding weight to the appeal, Dr. Murtala Haliru Dantoro, a prince of the Borgu Emirate and younger brother to the Emir, described the attacks as a humanitarian emergency.
“Borgu Kingdom is bleeding. Families are being torn apart and livelihoods destroyed,” he said, cautioning that the area, once a breadbasket, could soon depend on relief if farming collapses.
Addressing the President directly, Dantoro invoked the traditional title of Jagaban Borgu, appealing to Bola Ahmed Tinubu to approve emergency funding and decisive security action.
“The title carries great honour, and great responsibility. Your people are looking up to you. We trust you will act with urgency,” he said, pledging full cooperation from vigilantes and traditional institutions.
From the Muslim community, Mohammed Sani Ibrahim disclosed that more than 50 people, mostly children, remain in captivity following recent attacks in Agwara and Kansuwa Daji.
“For over five weeks, these victims have not been rescued. Christians and Muslims alike are affected. We need government help to bring them home,” he said.
The leaders jointly appealed to the President, the Minister of Defence, the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Conservator-General of National Parks to intervene swiftly. Among their demands are the declaration of Agwara and Borgu LGAs as security priority zones, immediate deployment of military units, reconstruction of the Agwara Police Station, and enhanced surveillance of nearby forests and highways.
Their message was stark and unified: without urgent federal action, insecurity could permanently upend life in Borgu, and the window to restore peace is closing fast.
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