Insurgency: Niger seeks military intervention as bandits overrun community
The Acting Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, has urgently requested the Federal Government to redeploy military forces to Alawa, a community in the Shiroro Local Government Area, which has recently been overrun by armed bandits.
This plea follows a devastating attack on Wednesday, during which 13 farmers were brutally killed while working in their fields on the outskirts of Alawa.
The federal government had previously withdrawn troops from the area five months ago, a decision that has left the community vulnerable to ongoing bandit attacks. This strategic withdrawal has emboldened criminals, leading to frequent raids, killings, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.
Alawa, once a tranquil farming village, has now become a hotspot for bandit activity. The recent attack on the farmers has intensified the insecurity in the region, leaving residents fearful and prompting many to seek refuge in safer locations.
The absence of military protection has allowed these bandits to operate with increasing audacity, significantly affecting the lives of the local population.
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During his visit to the community, Governor Garba met with the grieving families of the victims. Among them was Shamsiya Yahaya, who has suffered multiple tragedies due to these bandit attacks. Five years ago, Shamsiya’s father was killed in a similar incident, forcing 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, struggling to accommodate the surge of people fleeing from bandit attacks. The conditions in the IDP camps are dire, with limited access to essential resources such as food, water, and medical care.
Governor Garba has stressed the urgent need for military intervention to restore security and protect innocent civilians. He warned that without immediate action, the violence could escalate, leading to further deaths and displacements. “The withdrawal of military personnel has left our communities defenceless,” Garba said. “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.”
The Acting Governor’s call for action highlights the broader issue of insecurity in Niger State, which has been plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violence in recent years. The response of the federal government will be crucial in determining the future safety and security of Alawa and other affected communities in the region.
