Niger gov. requests military deployment to local communities for better protection

The Niger state government has requested that the Nigerian Army redeploy its troops to areas vulnerable to terrorist attacks within the state.

Mr. Yakubu Garba, the Acting Governor, made this appeal during an interview following a three-day Fidda’u prayer for 13 victims who were killed by bandits in Shiroro.

The victims were ambushed and killed on Wednesday while traveling to their farms in Anguwan village.

Garba explained that the withdrawal of troops from Allawa and other high-risk areas had undermined the government’s efforts to combat insecurity in the state. He urged the military to return to these areas to provide adequate security for the predominantly farming communities.

He noted that the Bago administration had implemented strategies to improve security, which have made travel safer along Kuta, Gwada, Zumba, and Erena roads in Shiroro.

The victims, who were displaced farmers, had been living as Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs). Malam Isah Allawa, father of one of the deceased, stated that the bandits killed eight people by shooting and that five others drowned while fleeing. He described how the bandits separated individuals from Allawa and Kagara before executing those from Allawa.

Murjanatu Musa, who also lost her son in the attack, shared that her son, who was married with a daughter, was killed by bandits, and noted that his father had also been killed by bandits earlier in 2023.

The Acting Governor attended the Fidda’u prayer with the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umaru Farouk.