1.0 INTRODUCTION: Shiroro Local Government Area (SLGA) of Niger State, Nigeria has the highest number of wards among the twenty-five Local Governments of the state. Bassa/Kukoki is one of the wards from the fifteen wards of SLGA. Bassa Town is a ward headquarters and a tourism settlement with a very rich history that predates Colonial Era. It is reported that Bassa people migrated from the Kwararafa Kingdom in the 16th century. Historically, their settlement in the area is due to its fertile land and abundant water supply. The predominant occupation there is agriculture, hunting, and fishing. The primary language spoken is Bassa, with Hausa and English also widely spoken. The majority of residents practice Islam, with a significant Christian population. Bassa Town is known for its agricultural produce, including yams, maize, guinea corn, and cashews.
2.0 NATURAL FEATURES AND GEOGRAPHY OF BASSA
Bassa Town is known for its warm and welcoming community with scenic landscape surrounded by hills and valleys, offering a scenic landscape. These characteristics provide a glimpse into the unique identity and features of Bassa Town in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. Bassa Town is surrounded by hills, including the Shiroro Hills with Kaduna River valley to the north and is bordered by the several streams flow through the town, including the Bassa Stream and several ponds and lakes in and around the town, including the Bassa Pond and the Shiroro Lake. The town’s terrain features gentle slopes, making it suitable for farming and settlement. The elevation of the town varies, with some areas being higher than others. The town features various landforms, including hills, valleys, and plains, creating a unique topography.
These topographical features contribute to the town’s natural beauty, agricultural potential, and settlement patterns. The area is covered with guinea savanna vegetation, featuring grasses, shrubs, and trees. The town has access to rivers, streams, and ponds, providing water for domestic and agricultural use. These geographical characteristics provide insight into the physical environment and natural features of Bassa Town in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria.
3.0 HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE OF BASSA
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However, during the Colonial Era (1900-1960) the settlement became a British colonial administrative outpost and very significant center for the production of cash crops like cotton and groundnuts. The colonial authorities introduced modern infrastructure, including roads, schools, and healthcare facilities. Bassa Town experienced significant growth and development during post-Colonial Era (1960-1990). In addition, to its relevance as major center for trade and commerce in the region. The construction of the Shiroro Dam in the 1970s and 80s brought significant economic and environmental changes to the entire area.
Bassa Town continues to grow and develop steadily until the town faces the challenges like environmental degradation, poverty, and insecurity. Efforts by Sons and Daughters were made to promote sustainable development, tourism, and cultural heritage preservation. This historical perspective highlights the rich cultural heritage and resilience of the Bassa people, as well as the town’s significant contributions to the region’s history and development. The Bassa tribe in Niger State is only found in Shiroro Local Government Area whereas the ethnic group also are found in various parts of Nigeria, including: Kaduna State (Kagarko Local Government Area, 2. Kogi State (Bassa Local Government Area), 3. Plateau State (Bassa Local Government Area), 4. Benue State (Bassa Local Government Area). Bassa tribe in Nigeria are with approximate population of between 500,000-700,000 people. The Bassa people in Shiroro Local Government Area have a population of approximately 50,000-60,000.
4.0 OPPORTUNITIES AND CULTURAL DEXTERITY OF BASSA
The opportunities in Bassa’s land are its potentials of Preservation of cultural heritage, promotion of tourism, economic empowerment, and education. Prior to the insecurity era, refers to as the CULTURAL DEXTERITY in Bassa was the famous Reggae Festival of Bassa Town in Shiroro Local Government Area and there used to be an annual festival that celebrated music, culture, and unity. Here are some key aspects of the festival with the following objectives;
1. Promote traditional ‘reggae’ music and its message of love, peace, prosperity and unity.
2. Showcase the rich cultural heritage and dexterity of Bassa Town and its people.
3. Foster progress, togetherness, care for one another and social cohesion among the community.
4. Provide an avenue for tourists and Bassa people in the diaspora to come home and relate with locals.
5. Platform for local and international artists to perform and show case their talents and networking.
The above objectives are predicated on the following features: Live and 24hours music performances by local artists for slated period, Cultural displays, including traditional dances, food, and crafts, discussions on music, culture, and social issues. The children and the youth climb mountains, play Football tournament and other sports activities with numerous food and drink vendors offering local and other cuisines. The festival then attracted an average of 3,000 to 5,000 attendees annually which had a positive impact on the community, promoting peace, unity, social cohesion, and cultural exchange. It has also contributed to the local economy through tourism, attraction of Bassawas in diaspora, networking and job creation.
5.0 INSECURITY AND ABANDONMENT OF BASSA
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Unfortunately, all the above impact is now history, Bassa is bedevilled with Land disputes, cultural erosion, poverty, and limited access to education and healthcare with the worst cancer now called Banditry of which Bassa town is under severe attacks. This disturbing situation are categorized in the following varying degrees:
1. The attacks by armed bandits, led to loss of lives and properties.
2. Kidnapping: Abduction of residents and travellers for ransom.
3. Cattle rustling: Theft of livestock, affecting the local economy.
4. Farmer-herder conflicts: Farmers and herders clash over land and resources.
5. Armed robbery attacks on residents and businesses.
6. Terrorism: Presence of terrorist groups, such as Boko Haram, in the region.
It is imperative to state some of the causes and pervasive nature of insecurity in the Bassa community. These include but are not limited to: Near absence of security presence: Inadequate security personnel and infrastructure, poverty and unemployment: High levels of poverty and unemployment, leading to criminal activity and underlying tensions between different ethnic and religious groups. Ultimately, the weak traditional institutions did not help matters too. The foregoing, it suggests an urgent call for action for the State and Federal Governments to stop the barbaric senseless killing/destruction and resuscitate peace and progress to the entire Lapkma axis.
6.0 ADDRESSING THE INSECURITY AND WAY FORWARD IN RESUSCITATION OF PEACE TO BASSA AND ITS ENVIRONS.
It is pertinent to address the insecurity challenges in Bassa which is part of the Lapkma axis of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, the following solutions can be adopted:
1. Urgent need to provide security presence by deploying armed security personnel and equipment to the area.
2. Need for effective community engagement by fostering inclusive and productive dialogue between community leaders, stakeholders, youth, and security agencies
3. Provision of an effective platform for Intelligence gathering in addition, to encouraging community members to provide information on suspicious activities.
4. Urgent need for economic empowerment: Implement initiatives to address poverty and unemployment. Youth engagement is paramount so as to implement programs to engage youth in positive activities.
5. The Federal Government should look into the abandoned road construction awarded between 1980 to 1982 from Pandogari to Bassa to Erena and linked to Galadima Kogo road to improve road networks and communication facilities.
6. Recognition and protection be given to the traditional leadership with effective engagement by collaborating with traditional leaders to leverage their influence and reach out to the people at the grassroots.
7. Efficient and effective synergy is needed among Security agencies with state-of-the-art capacity building and facilities through providing training and equipment to security agencies that will be superior to that of the bandits.
8. The need for Inter-agency collaboration is paramount to foster collaboration among security agencies, Local, State and Federal governments/ departments, and community organizations.
9. Institutionalization of regular assessment, proactive monitoring and responsive approach with continuous assessment of the security situation and adapt matching and proactive strategies.
7.0 CONCLUSION
In conclusion, there is the need to put the following quick action steps in place for sustainable reactivation of these important communities: 1. Government at the state level establish a community-based conflict resolution mechanism promoting inter-faith and inter-ethnic dialogue. 2. Urgent and compelling need for effective support to victims of insecurity with humanitarian aid and counselling. 3. Need to support and encourage community members to take ownership of their security initiatives and flush out the emergence of informer’s syndrome.
Therefore, the need for a genuine collaborative effort can not be overemphasised by government agencies, community leaders, stakeholders and residents to ensure a sustainable and peaceful environment in the Lapkma axis as a whole.
Nuhu is Former Honourable Commissioner for Tertiary Education, Niger State. He can be reached through nuhutachi@yahoo.com
