The Niger State government has called on the Federal Government to urgently redeploy military forces to the Alawa community in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The Acting Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, made the appeal on Saturday, confirming that the community was recently overrun by armed bandits.
The federal government had withdrawn troops from the area five months ago, a decision that has left the community vulnerable to incessant attacks by bandits.
Governor Garba’s appeal came in the wake of a fresh devastating attack on Wednesday, where 13 farmers were brutally killed while working in their fields on the outskirts of the Alawa community.
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The attack has further exacerbated the insecurity in the region, leaving residents in fear for their lives, and prompting many to flee to safer areas.
Alawa, once a peaceful farming community has now become a hotspot for bandit activity.
The absence of military protection has emboldened the criminals, leading to frequent raids, killings, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.
During his visit to the community, Garba met with the grieving families of the victims. Among them was Shamsiya Yahaya, a young woman who has endured multiple tragedies at the hands of these bandits.
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Five years ago, Shamsiya’s father was killed in a similar attack, forcing her and her family to seek refuge in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro Local Government Area.
Kuta has become a sanctuary for many displaced persons who have been forced to abandon their homes due to the relentless bandit attacks.
The town, which serves as the administrative centre of Shiroro, is struggling to accommodate the influx of people seeking safety.
Living conditions in the IDP camps are now dire, with limited access to necessities such as food, water, and medical care.
The situation in Alawa has reached a critical point, and Garba has emphasised the urgent need for military intervention to restore security and protect the lives of innocent civilians.
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He warned that without immediate action, the violence could escalate, leading to more deaths and displacements.
“The withdrawal of military personnel has left our communities defenceless. The people of Alawa are predominantly farmers, and they are now unable to tend to their fields without fear of being attacked. We need the federal government to act swiftly and redeploy the army to protect our people,” Governor Garba said.
The Acting Governor’s plea highlights the broader issue of insecurity in Niger State, which has been plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violence in recent years.
He said the federal government’s response to this crisis will be crucial in determining the future of Alawa and other affected communities in the region.