By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
President Bola Tinubu has been called upon, to, as a matter of urgency, establish fully equipped and backed up with intelligent gathering and well coordinated joint security presence, to protect lives and properties of citizens in Agwarra and Borgu Kingdom from further security threats including Boko-Haram, Armed Bandits.
While others Nigerians enjoy their freedoms, the people lamented that Borgu and Agwara are being denied freedom of movements to their farms and markets, freedom of speech or expression and freedom to religious beliefs by criminals holding the people hostage with their extremist strange doctrine that is alien to the people.
Addressing joint World Press Conference against continued siege by armed bandits, Niger state Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) chairman, Most Rev. Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, Prince Murtala Halilu Dantoro, representing the affected communities and Mohammed Ibrahim Sani representing moslem umma in the area said they can no longer keep quiet while armed bandits take over their homes, land, properties and as well, rights to freedom of worship.
Bishop Yohanna, Prince Dantoro and Mohammed also wants the immediate former governor, now Senator Sani Bello representing Niger-North (zone C), the Minister of state Agriculture and Food Security, Aliyu Abdullahi Sabi to join voices in drawing the President’s attention to the plights of the affected people.
Yohanna who is the Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese who insists that the life of every Nigerian should matter most to the President, lamented that it is worrisome that security vacuum in the area is being taken advantage of by criminals and therefore pleaded with Niger state and federal government to urgently beef up security to enable it flush out the invaders.
They told journalists at the Press Conference which took place in Suleja, how the elements have turned the once peaceful Borgu into, "Terrorists Kingdom", killing people at will, forcing some to flee their homes or coerce them into their doctrine and serve as informants, while the entire populace is reduced to becoming refugees in their own country.
Prince Dantoro reminded the President how Borgu Kingdom used to be his second home due to closeness to his late father which earned him the distinguished title, 'Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom', pleaded that the title shouldn't be merely ceremonial, but to demonstrate in practical terms what it represented.
Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, Prince Dantoro said is 'a sacred bond between you and the people of this land', and therefore wants President Tinubu not to abandon his late friend's subjects when he has the capacity and opportunity to save them from agony.
Mohammed Ibrahim Sani who spoke on behalf of Muslim communities lamented that the presence of terrorists in the area have crippled; education, farming and as well destroyed other sources of livelihood of the people.
For effective monitoring of criminals, especially influx of armed bandits cum religious extremists, they made a case for the deployment of surveillance technology along the Mokwa-Bussa highway and other vulnerable routes to monitor and prevent further attacks.
With adequate intelligent gathering, equipment and improved personnel, the people said it will not be impossible to flush out criminal elements who have turned the Kainji National Park and surrounding villages to safe haven where they converge, plan for and execute their evil machinations against innocent law abiding Nigerians. NNL.