Local Government officials in Nigeria’s North Central Niger State revealed that Boko Haram terrorists are rapidly expanding operations in the state, which will give the terrorist group even more access to the nation’s capital, as Niger State shares boundaries with the Federal Capital Territory.
This was disclosed in a report by Reuters on Sunday, after interviews with Suleiman Chukuba, Chairman of Shiroro local government area in Niger state, which borders Abuja.
Chukwuba warned that the local government is currently being overrun by Boko Haram fighters, stating that they are now in 8 of its 25 wards.
What authorities are saying about Boko Haram’s spread in Niger state
“Shiroro local government has an uncountable number of Boko Haram fighters,” Chukuba said. He urged the FG to employ more resources to the area to reduce the spread of Boko Haram.
The report revealed that the military says its counter-insurgency efforts are working on the situation even as the group spreads.
The Niger state information commissioner Muhammad Sani Idris confirmed the recent events and said the state is “doing whatever it takes as a state and we will combine the methods of our security personnel and our local vigilantes.” He also cited that they initially assumed the rising activities were that of armed bandits, adding that the state government and security agencies have been able to curtail the spread.
What you should know
In April this year, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State confirmed that Boko Haram terrorists had displaced over 3,000 residents of the affected communities.
“I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements here in Niger state, here in Kaure, I am confirming that they have hoisted their flags here.
“Their wives (of the villagers) have been seized from them and forcefully attached to Boko Haram members. I just heard that they have placed their flags at Kaure, meaning they have taken over the territory,” he said.
Niger State was among the top 5 states for media reported killings in the first half of 2021 with 458 reported killings.
