By Jacob Kubeka (ABUJA) –
Governor of Niger State in North-Central Nigeria, Abubakar Sani Bello, has confirmed that Boko Haram insurgents have hoisted their flag in Kaure, Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
Bello confirmed this today when he visited 3000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) from Shiroro and Munya local government areas who are taking refuge in Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida (IBB) Primary School, Minna, less than 300 kilometres from Nigeria’s capital, Abuja.
He said: “I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements in Niger state, around Kaure.
“I just heard that they’ve already hoist (sic) their flag in Kaure, which means they’ve taken over the territory and this is what I have been engaging the federal government with and unfortunately it has now gotten to this stage that if care is not taken not even Abuja is safe.”
While expressing serious concern over the security challenges in Niger State, Governor Bello particularly decried the manner in which wives of the people have been taken over by Boko Haram members.
According to the governor, “Boko Haram elements are trying to use these areas as their home just like they did in Sambisa”.
He said the situation calls for collective efforts by all and sundry pointing out that Government has been taking steps and will not relent on its efforts to curb the situation. This is even as the governor assured the people he had not lost hope in the Federal Government.
“I have not lost hope from the federal government but I am not waiting for anyone anymore”, he added.
A resident of Kuchi in Munya LGA, Bulus Asu, while explaining their ordeal, said that the entire Kuchi has been deserted in the past three months.
Asu added that they were entering Niger State territory from Kaduna through Kapana village kidnapping people and raping women.
He mentioned Kuchi, Guni, Gini, Chiri, Fuka and Kapana as villages among others that have been faced with banditry issues for the past three years.
Asu who commended the Emir of Minna, Alhaji Umar Faruk Bahago for taking care of the IDPs in the IBB primary school called on the State government to intensify efforts and evolve measures that will deal with the situation faced by the people.