The Niger State Government has issued a two-month notice to residents of hamlets around Kainji Lake to vacate the area ahead of their resettlement by the Emirate Council, as part of efforts to tackle rising insecurity in the region.
The directive was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Bologi Ibrahim. Governor Muhammad Bago gave the order during a condolence visit to the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad-Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro IV, at his palace in New Bussa.
Governor Bago said the visit was to commiserate with the Emir and the people of the Borgu Emirate over the recent terrorist attack that claimed several lives.
According to him, the evacuation became necessary to flush out criminals who had turned Kainji Lake into a hideout, making the area unsafe and uninhabitable for surrounding communities.
He expressed concern over the influx of unprofiled strangers into the Emirate, describing it as a major security threat. The governor also lamented the activities of informants, which he said had continued to undermine security operations in the area.
Bago urged the Emirate Council to rise to its responsibility by working closely with security agencies and governments at all levels to combat insecurity in the Emirate.
He extended heartfelt condolences to the Emir and the families of the victims, praying for the repose of the souls of those killed in the attack.
Similarly, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, said the Federal Government was committed to ensuring peace and security across the country.
He noted that relocating residents from the area would be a welcome development, adding that reclaiming the forest would allow it to be secured and redeployed for broader community use.
Aliyu Lawal
