Insecurity: CAN urges Tinubu to establish military base in Agwara LG, NigerInsecurity: CAN urges Tinubu to establish military base in Agwara LG, Niger

President Bola Tinubu has been urged to establish a fully equipped military base in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger, with a mobile and armoured detachment capable of pursuing and neutralising bandits operating from nearby game reserves.

The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Niger chapter, and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Most Rev. Bulus Yohanna, made the call while addressing journalists in Suleja Local Government Area over the persistent attacks in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas.

Yohanna stressed that the time to act was now, calling on the Federal Government to deploy adequate security personnel, provide necessary logistics and resources, and collaborate with local stakeholders to restore lasting peace in the affected communities.

He also urged the authorities to fortify Police stations and security checkpoints without delay and to post more police officers to Agwara, supported by enhanced vehicular mobility, to improve operational effectiveness.

In his remarks, a son of the late Emir of Borgu, Prince Murtala Haliru-Dantoro, appealed to Tinubu to urgently come to the aid of the people, warning that continued attacks could wipe out their history, culture, traditions and means of livelihood.

Dantoro lamented that more than 300 persons in Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas had reportedly been killed by bandits, with many others abducted and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

He said that the attackers kill indiscriminately, without regard to whether the victims were Muslims or Christians.

He reminded the president that his traditional title, Jagaban Borgu, symbolises a sacred bond with the Borgu Emirate and urged him to do more to protect the people from terrorist attacks.

The Prince further called on the Federal Government to declare Borgu and Agwara as security priority zones and to approve emergency funding for the rehabilitation of security infrastructure across the Borgu Kingdom.

Also speaking, a representative of the Muslim community in the area, Mohammed Sani, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation, saying it had crippled education, agriculture and other livelihoods.

According to him, terrorists now move freely and unchallenged in many communities, worsening the humanitarian and economic situation of residents.

Culled from vanguard