Amid worsening insecurity in Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas of Niger State, Murtala Haliru Dantoro, son of the late Emir of Borgu, has appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene by strengthening security and establishing a military outpost in the affected communities.
Speaking with journalists on Thursday , the Prince of Borgu Kingdom lamented that persistent attacks and killings have reached an alarming level, plunging residents into constant fear and distress. He said the situation has become unbearable, with innocent lives lost, families shattered, and livelihoods destroyed.
“I am deeply disturbed by the continuous loss of innocent lives in our communities. Our people are gradually losing hope in the ability of leadership to protect them,” Dantoro said.
He called on President Tinubu who was conferred with a traditional title by his late father, the Emir of Borgu and Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, to urgently take decisive action to end the crisis. According to him, the people deserve to live without fear, farm their lands freely, and sleep peacefully in their homes.
“This is not just a local problem; it is a humanitarian emergency that requires immediate intervention from the highest levels of government,” he stressed.
Dantoro, who is also an aspirant for the House of Representatives under the African Democratic Congress (ADC), raised concerns about the implications of the insecurity for democratic participation ahead of the 2027 general elections. He questioned who would be able to exercise their voting rights if communities continue to face killings and displacement, noting that democracy can only thrive where there is security and hope.
He urged the Federal Government to deploy adequate security personnel, provide the necessary resources, and collaborate with local stakeholders to restore peace across the Borgu Kingdom.
“Our people have shown patience and resilience, but patience without action leads to despair,” he said. “The time to act is now before more lives are lost and before our communities completely lose faith in the government’s ability to protect them”, he added
