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Regional News of Sunday, 16 May 2021

Source: thenationonlineng.net

Humanitarian crisis as bandits sack 70 Niger communities

The photo used to illustrate the story The photo used to illustrate the story

All is still not well in Niger State three weeks after Governor Abubakar Sanni Bello raised the alarm over the incessant attack of villages and towns by bandits operating in five local government areas of the state.

According to the governor, the terror sect, Boko Haram has even hoisted its flag in Kaore, Shiroro Local Government Area, its boundary with Kaduna State.

Other local government areas affected by the banditry are Rafi, Munya and Wushishi.

About 70 communities spread across the lgas have been deserted and the locales fleeing to Minna and other cities to keep on with their lives.

Thousands have been turned practically into refugees, with the state government and some international and national agencies providing succor for them in Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camps.

There are 25 of such in Shiroro LG alone.

For many of the IDPs, the narrative of their lives has been altered for life.

Their cherished homes, farms and waterways have  been forcefully occupied by bandits, cattle rustlers and Boko Haram members who rape, steal, kill and maim at will.

Many houses and farm barns have been razed and farmlands abandoned.

Although some of the displaced people are eager to return home and some have indeed done so, investigation showed that some other people are being forced off their villages by the bandits.

It was gathered yesterday that some IDPs at Pandogari camp have started returning home  at Alawa in Shiroro LGA after soldiers  restored normalcy.

The Federal Government had, in response to the governor’s alarm, strengthened the presence of security forces on the fringes of the state to check criminals.

We need more govt help, says Shiroro LG chair

The Acting Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Council, Honourable Isiaku Bawa, told The Nation that the area could do with the presence of more soldiers so that the people can sleep with their two eyes closed.

“The situation is getting worst as they are even attacking as we speak,” Bawa said.

List of villages rendered uninhabitable by bandits in Niger

Wongo, Kukoki, Masuku, Zangoro, Gungu, Rumache Madalla, Rumache Gari, Magugaa, Marenje, Malawai, Madagwa, Kadaga, Hana Wanka, Durumi, Farar Kasa, Gurmana.

Kokki Makaranta, Kokki Magami, Shekadna, Karibo, Rango, Sarkin Zama, Bakin Kogi (Lagbe), Maganda, Jabukin Sama, Jabukin Kasa, Guto, Gwaja, Sundna, Fiyi, Unguwan, Turakin Kokki, Kuchiwi, Tsohon Gari, Kokki Bodo, Palalli, Gbakoiti, Kampani.

Yelwa, Ajata Aboki, Birke, Jankasa, Kasumi, Kuyami, Siyiko, Manta, Jiko, Gungu, Magami, Gaviya, Sabon Gida, Jankasa, Farin Hula, Taidna, Beri Kago, Beri, Gatawi, Kini, Bmada, Bagudu, Guto, Sunko, Gbagawi, Marafa, Gudumi, Gbaga amongst others.

They are all in Shiroro LGA.

“Gurmana Ward is one of the wards mostly under attack. We need government intervention just like they have promised so that our people can go back to their villages. We need more military presence now because the rainy season will soon start.

“There are 25 IDP camps in Shiroro Local Government as all primary and secondary schools in the council have been occupied by the IDPs,” Bawa stated.

It is understood that the IDPs camps are proving inadequate or inconvenient for the large number of people in need.

Many have opted to stay with their relatives in towns, according to the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane.

“When the situation improves, some of them will go back quietly to their communities. There are other IDPs taking shelter with their relations within the town and other locations.”

Continuing, he said: “there are two camps here in Gwada, Sarki Pawa, Kuta; there are IDPs in Padongari and as I am speaking with you, we have a large number of IDPs coming into Kotangora because of attacks in Mariga, Shadanki, Mangi and other locations.

“Unfortunately, it is not the best of time for us in terms of security as many communities have been dislocated. It is not what we have anticipated but we need to respond to it by providing comfort for the IDPs.”

Matane said the  state government was working hard to ensure  that the communities are safe for the people to return to their homes adding that massive military operations are going on to send the bandits packing.

“The State Government, in partnership with the Federal Government, is doing everything possible to ensure that we make the communities safer so that in a few weeks, these communities’ members can go back and go about their farming activities,” he said.

“Everyone here wants to go back home ordinarily but the home has to be safe and we believe it is our responsibility as a state government to ensure that IDPs go back within the shortest time.

“We plan that no community member goes back to the area until the place is safe and we can guarantee that there is safety but some people who have seen a semblance of peace think they can return to their communities.

“There over 70 of these communities that have been displaced and we said they should remain in the IDP camps for a few weeks until we can deal with the security situation of the areas, we have warned them not to go back as we keep emphasizing and that they would be told when it is safe to go back.”

Our experiences – IDPs

The state government is already feeling the burden of catering for the large number of the IDPs with the governor calling for help from the Federal Government.

Insufficient or poor quality food is the general complaint of the IDPs.

One of the IDPs  Pastor Joseph Amos, told of how the terrorists who invaded his village of Kaure beat him mercilessly and disposed him of all he had.

He was left for the dead, but he managed to find his way to the safety of Gwada camp.

Speaking about the state of the camp, he said that their main concern is hunger and when to return home.

“Government provides food for us but the food is not enough because any food brought here will be shared across other camps,” he said.

“I can tell you that even if the government brings 10 trailer loads of food, it will still not be enough. Okay, after the food finishes after a few days, where else would we turn to? It is not as if the food comes regularly.

“What we need most from the government is for them to secure back our homes for us. That is our cry. We want to go back home. Sitting here in this IDP camp is not the solution; the solution is that they should secure our homes so that we can return.”

Lado Kaure got tired of staying in the IDP camp and actually went back to his village to confirm the seizure of his village.

He got half way, fell into the hands of Boko Haram elements and was given the beating of his life. He is lucky to be alive to tell the story.

His words: “When I wanted to enter Kaure, some people came out and beat me up, they said that I should not try to enter the town or I would die.

“I noticed a lot of people moving about with guns but I did not see any flag, though I do not know the exact location of the flag they said has been hoisted.

“I have some food in my house and I tried again to go into the village so that I could  take  the food because we are suffering here but I couldn’t.

“I was beaten again when I tried to enter  Kaure. Other people have also shared their experience on how they were attacked when they tried to enter into Kaure, so I don’t think I am the only one experiencing this. This means that no one can have access into Kaure Village as it looks now.”

For Malama Saratu Irimiya, the food provided  by  government can only ward off hunger for some days adding that when the food finishes, they are left once again to cater for themselves.

She said :”We go to the market, where people are buying grains. Whatever falls to the ground, we scoop, bring it home, pick it and cook. See what these thieves have turned us to.”

Communities opt for negotiations with bandits

Tired of the incessant attacks by gunmen, some communities in  Gurmana and Manta Wards in Shiroro Local Government area resolved to go into direct  negotiation to allow them live their normal lives.

Such negotiations come at a price which the communities pay.

In some cases, motorcycles for the bandits are part of the deal.

The Co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki who confirmed this development to newsmen said that many  communities in Gurmana and Manta Districts of Shiroro Local Government, Niger State have adopted this line of action.

“Some communities and villages in Bassa/Kukoki Ward have followed suit by agreeing to pay a certain amount of money among others while the terrorists suspend their nefarious activities,” he said.