Killings: Niger Govt urges Army to redeploy troops to vulnerable communities

The Niger State Government has urged the Nigerian Army to redeploy troops to communities vulnerable to terrorist attacks.

Acting Governor, Mr. Yakubu Garba, made this appeal while speaking with journalists after the 3-day Fidda’u prayer held for 13 victims killed by bandits in Shiroro. The victims were ambushed on their way to their farms in Anguwan village.

Garba emphasized that the withdrawal of military troops from Allawa and other affected areas had undermined the government’s efforts to combat insecurity in the state. He called on the army to reconsider their presence in these communities to provide security for the predominantly farming population.

“The Bago-led administration has implemented strategies to enhance security, which has made commuting along Kuta, Gwada, Zumba, and Erena roads in Shiroro safer,” Garba noted.

One of the victims’ fathers, Malam Isah Allawa, recounted the tragedy, revealing that eight people were shot dead by the bandits, while five others drowned while trying to flee. His son, Mubarak Isah, was among those killed.

He added that the bandits separated people from Allawa and Kagara, releasing those from Kagara and tying up the hands of those from Allawa before killing them.