Commuters Stranded As Residents Protest Renewed Attacks in Niger

In Niger State, residents of farming communities blocked the Mokwa-New Bussa road to protest ongoing terrorist attacks. Led by the Borgu Youth Federation, the demonstration included members of several associations in Borgu Kingdom, including the National Union of Road Transport Workers. Protesters first obstructed the road at the Bussa roundabout around 5:30am on Monday, despite the rain.

The protest erupted over allegations that Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, claimed only 30 people were kidnapped during recent attacks on Jummaat Mosques in Dekara and three other communities. However, the victims – approximately 500 worshippers – have been held captive for three weeks, with attacks continuing and many communities deserted. The Auditor of the Borgu Youth Federation, Aliyu Abdulmajeed, criticized the governor for providing inaccurate information about the kidnappings.

Abdulmajeed claimed that the government's failure to take action has led to tribal clashes between farmers and herders, resulting in eight deaths and hundreds of displacements in Agwara LGA over the past two weeks. An attack on Guchana community in Borgu LGA left 30 vigilantes injured, many seeking treatment from traditional medicine healers due to the lack of government presence and healthcare facilities in the area.

Borgu LGA Chairman, Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi, denied the authenticity of a recently circulated video depicting attacks on the local area, stating that no incidents had been recorded since the August 21 mosque attacks. He emphasized that adequate security personnel have been deployed in the local government area, following an appeal from the Niger State government to the Federal Government.