By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Worried by the series of attacks that claimed lives and properties in Borgu and Agwarra Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Niger state, son of the late Emir of Borgu, Murtala Haliru Dantoro has called on his late father's friend, President Bola Tinubu to come to the rescue of their people who are being held hostate by terrorists.
President Tinubu had served as Senator with the late Emir of Borgu Kingdom, Halilu Jikantoro, and the friendship earned him traditional title of Borgu Emirate.
Years after the father's demise, the late Emir’s son/Prince of Borgu Kingdom, Murtala wants President Tinubu to for the sake of his late friend intervene by establishing joint security outpost to end siege by the terrorists that has taken over the Kainji National Park and games reserve.
Murtala Haliru Dantoro in an interview decried devastating impacts of the escalating security and killings in Borgu and Agwarra LGAs, describing a situation whereby people now live in constant fear and anguish as, 'becoming unbearable'.
“I am deeply troubled by the continuous loss of innocent lives and properties in our communities. Families torn apart, sources of livelihood destroyed, and our people are fast losing hope in the ability of our leaders to protect them".
“I am calling on President Bola Tinubu, who was honored with a traditional title by my late father, the Emir of Borgu, and Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger state, to urgently intervene and provide lasting solutions to the prevailing security crisis".
As law abiding Nigerians, Dantoro said, “Our people deserve to live normal life without fear, to go about in their farm lands, and to sleep with their two eyes closed in their homes. This is not just a local crisis, it is a humanitarian emergency demanding immediate and decisive action from the highest levels of government”.
Prince Dantoro who is also aspiring for the House of Representatives seat in the coming dispensation under the ADC said it is worrisome that government cannot protect the electorates.
One of the basic expectations from government is protection of lives and properties, adding that, “If our people are continually killed and displaced, who will exercise their democratic rights in the 2027 general elections?
Democracy, he emphasized thrives where there is security of lives and properties of citizenry, and hope, not where citizens live in perpetual fear of terror.
Dantoro urged the Federal government to put in place adequate security, provide necessary resources, and as well work with indigenous stakeholders to bring about lasting peace and sense of belonging to Borgu Kingdom.
He said, “Our people have been patient and resilient, but patience without action breeds despair. The time to act is now, before we lose more lives and before our communities lose faith entirely in the government's ability to protect them and their properties". NNL.
