FROM SAMSON ALFA, MINNA
Stakeholders in Borgu and Agwara Communities in Niger State have called on the federal and Niger State governments, minister of defence and security agencies to map out surveillance measures on forests and highways in the area.
They lamented that Borgu Kingdom is bleeding, families are being torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, adding that very soon, families would depend on government relief materials if the situation continues unabated.
Expressing their plight at a press conference in Suleja, the Bishop of Kontagora Catholic Diocese, Most Reverend Bulus Yohana flanked by other community leaders including the younger brother of the Emir of Borgu, Dr Murtala Dantoro decried the rising insecurity in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas.
Yohanna described the security situation in the area as unfortunate, attacks on residents, schools and police facilities continue unabated, adding that many children cannot attend school safely and farmers have abandoned their farm lands.
According to him, the people of Agwara deserve to live without fear. Our children deserve a secured future. Our people need to farm their lands and sleep peacefully in their homes.
“Our people are helpless and crying for help. We want you to beef up security in Agwara, especially in Papiri town, where St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools serve over 50 communities. We are appealing for a military base that will ensure security presence at all times.
“The time to act is now, before we lose more lives and before our communities lose faith entirely in government’s capacity to protect them”, Bishop Yohanna concluded.
In his remarks, Dantoro described the attacks as a humanitarian emergency that is threatening lives and livelihoods across the kingdom.
He lamented that Borgu Kingdom is bleeding.
Families are being torn apart, livelihoods destroyed. Our farmers, once the breadbasket of the North West, could soon depend on government`s relief if this is not urgently addressed.
“We are calling on the president who holds the Jagaban of Borgu title to approve emergency funding to enable security operatives tackle the security challenges in Borgu kingdom.
“The title of Jagaban carries great honour, but it also carries great responsibility. Your people, the people of Borgu Kingdom are looking upto you. We trust that you will act with the urgency this crisis demands”, he stated.
Also, Leader of the Muslim Community, Borgu Emirate, Mohammed Ibrahim, disclosed that so far, 50 persons were abducted by terrorists in Agwara and Kansuwan Daji.
Ibrahim said for over five weeks, these victims are still in captivity and the attacks affected Christians and Muslims who are mostly children, we want government to help us rescue them.
