Acting Governor Yakubu Garba of Niger State has urgently called on the Federal Government to redeploy military forces to the Alawa community, located in the Shiroro Local Government Area, following a recent and deadly escalation of bandit attacks. The governor’s plea comes after the community, which had been relatively peaceful, was overrun by armed bandits, resulting in the brutal killing of 13 farmers as they worked in their fields on Wednesday. This tragic incident underscores the dire need for enhanced security measures in the region, which has seen a sharp increase in violence and insecurity.
The roots of this crisis can be traced back to the decision made five months ago by the federal government to withdraw military troops from the Alawa area. At the time, the withdrawal was justified on operational grounds, but the move has since left the community defenseless against the rising tide of banditry. Without the presence of the military, Alawa’s residents have been left vulnerable to repeated and vicious attacks by armed criminals. The lack of security forces has emboldened the bandits, leading to an alarming frequency of raids, kidnappings, and killings that have devastated the community.
The once-tranquil farming community of Alawa has become a dangerous hotspot, where fear has become a constant companion for the residents. The recent attack, which claimed the lives of 13 innocent farmers, serves as a grim reminder of the fragile security situation in the area. Governor Garba, who visited Alawa to console the grieving families, witnessed firsthand the despair and fear that has gripped the community. Among the victims’ families was Shamsiya Yahaya, a young woman who has suffered multiple losses due to the bandits’ relentless assaults. Five years ago, Shamsiya’s father was killed in a similar attack, forcing her and her family to flee to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kuta, the headquarters of the Shiroro Local Government Area.
Kuta, a town that once thrived as the administrative center of Shiroro, has been transformed into a sanctuary for those fleeing the violence in Alawa and other affected communities. The influx of displaced persons has stretched the town’s resources thin, as it struggles to accommodate the growing number of people seeking refuge. Conditions in the IDP camps are harsh, with limited access to essential services such as food, clean water, and medical care. The overcrowded camps reflect the broader humanitarian crisis unfolding in Niger State, where countless families have been torn apart by the ongoing violence.
Governor Garba has repeatedly stressed the urgent need for military intervention to stabilize the situation and protect the lives of innocent civilians. During his visit to Alawa, he addressed the community, warning that without immediate action, the violence could spiral out of control, leading to even more deaths and displacements. “The withdrawal of military personnel has left our communities defenseless,” Governor Garba lamented. “The people of Alawa are predominantly farmers, and they are now unable to tend to their fields without fear of being attacked. We need the federal government to act swiftly and redeploy the army to protect our people.”
The Acting Governor’s call for action highlights a broader issue of insecurity that has plagued Niger State in recent years. The state has become a focal point for banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violent crime, as criminal elements exploit the lack of adequate security presence. The absence of law enforcement and military forces in key areas has created a power vacuum, which these criminal groups have readily filled, imposing a reign of terror on local communities.
Governor Garba’s plea is a desperate cry for help, not only for Alawa but for all the communities in Niger State that have been affected by the growing wave of violence. The federal government’s response to this crisis will be critical in determining the future of these communities. Failure to act could lead to an escalation of violence, further destabilizing the region and causing untold suffering for its residents.
The people of Alawa, like many others in Shiroro Local Government Area, continue to live in fear, grappling with the uncertainty of their future. As they mourn the loss of their loved ones and contemplate the harsh reality of their situation, they remain hopeful that their cries for help will not go unheard. They look to the federal government and the broader international community to take the necessary steps to ensure their safety and security, to restore peace to their lives, and to allow them to return to their homes and fields without the constant fear of violence.
