Residents of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State are reportedly fleeing their communities into the Republic of Benin amid persistent attacks by armed men, worsening insecurity and disruptions to daily life.
The development was disclosed by the African Democratic Congress (ADC) House of Representatives candidate for Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency, Murtala Haliru Dantoro, who called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to urgently establish a permanent and sustained security presence in the area.
Dantoro raised the alarm during a press conference, warning that communities across the Borgu Emirate were increasingly living under siege as killings, kidnappings, displacement and restrictions on farming and movement continue to affect residents.
He urged the government to shift from reacting to attacks after they occur to deploying measures capable of preventing them.
“We are not asking to be rescued after the fact. We are asking for security before the fact.”
According to Dantoro, residents are not seeking charity from the government but the protection and security guaranteed to every Nigerian citizen.
The ADC candidate also raised concerns over the destruction of a major bridge linking Borgu with the Republic of Benin, Kebbi and Sokoto states.
He described the bridge as a critical economic lifeline for the emirate, saying its destruction had disrupted movement, trade and other economic activities while adding to the hardship faced by residents.
Dantoro warned that the deteriorating security situation was now forcing some residents to cross into the Republic of Benin in search of safety.
He described the cross-border movement as both a humanitarian emergency and a national security concern, urging the Federal and Niger State governments to act before more communities are displaced.
Dantoro also appealed to local and international humanitarian organisations to provide urgent assistance to displaced residents from Babanna and other affected communities, particularly women and children.
He called for shelter, healthcare, food and other essential support for people affected by the crisis.
The ADC candidate further urged President Tinubu and Nigeria’s security agencies to give Borgu greater security attention, stressing that residents must be able to “sleep, farm, trade and travel without fear.”
Author
