Niger State’s Governor, Abubakar Bello, has confirmed that the Boko Haram insurgents have occupied the state. He said this in a statement while visiting Minna yesterday.
What’s happening in Niger State?
Boko Haram insurgents have hoisted their flag in Kaure village, Shiroro local government area in Niger State. The state’s governor confirmed that over 3,000 people have been displaced from their homes as a result. He also stated that the bandits forcefully took the wives of several community members, attaching them to themselves: “Their wives have been seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members. I just heard that they have placed their flags at Kaure, meaning they have taken over the territory.”
Many of the displaced people, from different areas, are being housed in IBB Primary School, close to the Emir’s palace in Minna. The school was hastily turned into an Internally Displaced Person’s camp after the Boko Haram bandits ran the villagers out of their homes. It was here that Abubakar Bello visited them and made his statement. This development is after several kidnappings and bandit attacks in various Northwestern states.
How has the Government responded?
Niger State’s Governor, Abubakar Bello, said that his government had reached out to the Federal Government several times, as the situation gradually escalated. However, he said that no action had been taken. He then noted that the latest Boko Haram camp is close to the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He said, “Sambisa is several kilometers from Abuja but Kaure is less than two hours drive from Abuja. So nobody is safe anymore, not even those in Abuja.”
The Governor expressed hope that something will be done soon, while advising other state governments to start taking precautionary measures.