Residents of communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State are reportedly abandoning their homes and crossing into the neighbouring Republic of Benin as persistent attacks by armed groups continue to heighten fears across the area.
The African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Murtala Haliru Dantoro, disclosed the development at a press conference, while calling for urgent and sustained security intervention in the affected communities.
According to Dantoro, residents were increasingly living under siege as killings, kidnappings and displacement, coupled with restrictions on movement and farming, continue to disrupt life across the Borgu Emirate.
He appealed to President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to establish a permanent security presence in the area, stressing that security agencies should prevent attacks rather than respond only after lives and property have been lost.
“We are not asking to be rescued after the fact. We are asking for security before the fact,” he said.
The ADC candidate also expressed concern over the destruction of a major bridge linking Borgu with the Republic of Benin, Kebbi and Sokoto states, saying the damage had disrupted transportation, trade and other economic activities.
According to him, the combination of insecurity and the loss of the bridge has further compounded the hardship facing residents, particularly those whose livelihoods depend on farming and cross-border commerce.
Dantoro said the deteriorating security situation was forcing some residents to seek safety across the border in the Republic of Benin, describing the development as both a humanitarian emergency and a national security concern.
He urged the Federal and Niger State governments to intervene urgently to prevent further displacement and appealed to humanitarian organisations to assist displaced residents from Babanna and other affected communities.
He specifically called for the provision of shelter, healthcare, food and other essential support, particularly for women and children affected by the displacement.
Dantoro further urged the government and security agencies to give Borgu greater security attention, saying residents should be able to return to normal life and “sleep, farm, trade and travel without fear.”
