The Acting Governor of Niger State, Yakubu Garba, has called on the Federal Government to urgently redeploy military forces to the Alawa community in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The community was recently overrun by armed bandits.
The federal government had withdrawn troops from the area five months ago, a decision that has left the community vulnerable to incessant attacks by bandits.
Governor Garba’s appeal came in the wake of a fresh devastating attack on Wednesday, where 13 farmers were brutally killed while working in their fields on the outskirts of the Alawa community.
The attack has further exacerbated the insecurity in the region, leaving residents in fear for their lives, and prompting many to flee to safer areas.
Alawa, once a peaceful farming community has now become a hotspot for bandit activity.
The absence of military protection has emboldened the criminals, leading to frequent raids, killings, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.
The recent attack on the farmers is a stark reminder of the deteriorating security situation in the area.
During his visit to the community, Garba met with the grieving families of the victims. Among them was Shamsiya Yahaya, a young woman who has endured multiple tragedies at the hands of these bandits.
Five years ago, Shamsiya’s father was killed in a similar attack, forcing her and 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 who have been forced to abandon their homes due to the relentless bandit attacks.
The town, which serves as the administrative centre of Shiroro, is struggling to accommodate the influx of people seeking safety.
