NIGER: Govt seeks military intervention as bandits overrun Alawa community

This call comes in response to the recent invasion of the community by armed bandits.

Military troops were withdrawn from the area five months ago, leaving the community vulnerable to repeated attacks by bandits.

Governor Garba’s plea follows a tragic attack on Wednesday in which 13 farmers were brutally murdered while working in their fields near Alawa.

This latest assault has further heightened insecurity in the region, causing widespread fear among residents and forcing many to flee to safer locations.

Once a peaceful farming community, Alawa has now become a target for bandit activity.

The absence of military protection has emboldened the criminals, resulting in frequent raids, killings, and the displacement of hundreds of residents.

The recent attack on the farmers underscores the worsening security situation in the area.

During a visit to the community, Garba met with the grieving families of the victims, including Shamsiya Yahaya, a young woman who has suffered multiple tragedies at the hands of these bandits.

Five years ago, Shamsiya’s father was killed in a similar attack, forcing her family to seek refuge in an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Kuta, the administrative center of Shiroro Local Government Area.

Kuta has become a sanctuary for many displaced persons who have been forced to abandon their homes due to relentless bandit attacks.

However, the town is struggling to accommodate the influx of people seeking safety, with dire living conditions in the IDP camps, including limited access to food, water, and medical care.

The situation in Alawa has reached a critical point, and Garba has emphasized the urgent need for military intervention to restore security and protect innocent civilians. He warned that without immediate action, the violence could escalate, leading to more deaths and displacements.

“The withdrawal of military personnel has left our communities defenseless. 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,” Governor Garba stated.

The Acting Governor’s plea highlights the broader issue of insecurity in Niger State, which has been plagued by banditry, kidnapping, and other forms of violence in recent years. He noted that the federal government’s response to this crisis will be crucial in determining the future of Alawa and other affected communities in the region.

As the people of Alawa and Shiroro Local Government Area continue to cope with the aftermath of the latest attack, they remain hopeful that their calls for help will be answered and that steps will be taken to ensure their safety and security.