|By Adejumo Adekunle
Community and religious leaders in Borgu Kingdom have urged the federal government to intervene urgently as violent attacks intensify across Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State.
The call came during a press conference in Suleja addressed by the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese and Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger State chapter, Most Rev. Dr. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, alongside community advocate Murtala Dantoro, a younger brother of the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Mohammed Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro IV.
Bishop Yohanna described the security situation as dire, citing repeated assaults on residents, schools, and security facilities. He said communities now live in fear as attackers operate with impunity.
“Our people are helpless and crying for help. Security must be reinforced in Agwara, particularly Papiri town, where St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools serve more than 50 communities,” the bishop said.
While commending President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for issuing earlier directives to the service chiefs, Yohanna warned that short-term deployments have failed to stop the violence. He stressed that sustained military presence is critical to restoring normalcy.
“We expected stronger and lasting security measures by now. The people of Agwara deserve to live without fear. Our children deserve a secure future, and our farmers must be able to work their lands and sleep peacefully,” he added.
Murtala Dantoro said the attacks have devastated Borgu Kingdom, pointing to the burning of the Agwara Police Station and a church as evidence of the worsening crisis. According to him, the violence has disrupted education, crippled farming activities, and shattered local livelihoods.
“Borgu Kingdom is bleeding. Families are being torn apart, livelihoods destroyed, and our farmers—once the breadbasket of the Northwest—risk becoming dependent on government relief,” Dantoro said.
Raising further concern, the leader of the Muslim community in Borgu Emirate, Mohammed Sani Ibrahim, disclosed that more than 50 abducted persons, mostly children, remain in captivity weeks after attacks in Agwara and Kansuwa Dani.
“For over five weeks, these victims have not been rescued. The attacks affected both Christians and Muslims, mostly children. We are pleading with the government to help secure their release,” he said.
The leaders jointly called for the establishment of a permanent military base in the area, the fortification of police stations, deployment of additional security personnel, and stronger collaboration with local vigilante groups to halt further attacks and secure the region.
