Suspected Boko Haram terrorists who have infiltrated many communities in some local government areas of Niger State have reportedly directed residents to remove their children from formal schools.
The terrorists had also directed the residents, both Muslims and Christians, to marry off their daughters at 12 or face the consequences.
Residents who disclosed this expressed fears that the onslaught would escalate in the coming days if nothing were done.
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The recent developments climaxed the arson by gunmen in Niger State, who were described as “bandits” for a very long time. The terrorists killed hundreds of people in Niger and contiguous Kaduna, Zamfara, Katsina, Sokoto and Kebbi.
Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello on Sunday alerted of the presence of Boko Haram insurgents in Niger, citing recent security breaches in the state.
“We have every reason to believe that we are not dealing with bandits. The way they coordinated and planned the attack from the latest operation has also confirmed to us that they must have had some training,” the governor said.
Several bomb mines, allegedly planted by Boko Haram, were uncovered in the Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
The governor had severally described the bandits as Boko Haram fighters.
For instance, after series of attacks on villages in Shiroro and Munya LGAs on Sunday, April 25, and Monday, April 26, the governor told newsmen that, “The attackers included not only bandits but also Boko Haram members, and their next target would be Abuja, a mere two hours away by road.”
The governor claimed that in Kaure, a village in Shiroro LGA, the attackers had hoisted a Boko Haram flag and were in control of the area.
Recall that members of the Ansarul-Islam and Darul-Salam were dislodged from parts of Niger State a few years ago.
Shiroro, Munya, Rafi communities under siege
The alarm raised by Governor Bello on Sunday was re-echoed by the Chairman of Shiroro LGA, Suleiman Chukuba, on Monday.
In the last few weeks, communities in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi local government areas had witnessed renewed attacks by suspected Boko Haram fighters leading to the loss of several lives.
Chukuba said, “On the issue of influx of Boko Haram in Shiroro, four wards have been affected.”
