A resident of Borgu Kingdom in Niger State has appealed to the Federal Government to urgently deploy a special military task force and establish permanent security bases across the area to stem escalating insecurity and protect vulnerable communities.
The call was made by Murtala Haliru Dantoro at a news briefing in Kaduna, where he spoke on behalf of what he described as the “Voiceless People of the Borgu Kingdom.”
Murtala Dantoro who is the son of the late Emir of Borgu, Senator Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III, stressed that, sustained attacks by armed bandits have continued to disrupt livelihoods, displace families, and erode public confidence in security arrangements across the kingdom.
According to him, the proposed military intervention should include the immediate establishment of permanent bases in strategic locations such as New Bussa, Babana, Dugga, Wawa, and other flashpoints to ensure rapid response to security threats and restore normalcy.
Dantoro also stressed the urgent need for border security reinforcement, noting that, the porous borders between Nigeria, Benin Republic, and Niger Republic have worsened the security situation.
He called for the sealing of illegal entry points and the deployment of border patrol units along the Mokwa–New Bussa road and key parts of the Borgu axis.
He further advocated the establishment of border checkpoints with 24-hour security presence and enhanced intelligence-sharing mechanisms with neighboring countries to curb cross-border criminal activities.
On community security empowerment, Murtala Dantoro urged the Federal Government to equip and train local vigilante groups, including the Civilian Joint Task Force, to complement formal security efforts.
He also called for the provision of communication equipment and radios to support early warning systems and the creation of a community policing structure directly coordinated with the military.
Speaking on intelligence gathering and coordination, Dantoro emphasized the importance of synergy among all security agencies operating in the area.
He said community leaders, hunters, and local stakeholders should be engaged as intelligence sources, alongside the creation of anonymous reporting channels for security threats.
He also highlighted the need for improved road and security-supporting infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of access roads to remote villages, clearing of bushes along major routes to eliminate ambush points, installation of street lights in vulnerable communities, and the construction of security outposts at strategic junctions.
Dantoro further demanded direct presidential oversight of the Borgu security situation, including the appointment of a Special Security Adviser dedicated to the kingdom, weekly security reports to the Presidency, and monthly security review meetings with service chiefs in Borgu.
Murtala Haliru Dantoro also appealed for a presidential visit to the area to assess the situation.
He urged the Federal Government to maintain a sustained military presence for a minimum of five years, allocate a dedicated annual budget for Borgu security operations, and establish a permanent security coordination centre in New Bussa, with quarterly presidential reviews of progress.
According to him, the Borgu region—covering New Bussa, Babana, Wawa, Kainji, and surrounding communities—has endured persistent attacks that have forced farmers away from their farmlands, kept children out of school, and left families living in constant fear.
He also appealed to the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to intervene, reminding the body of its mandate to promote peaceful coexistence in Northern Nigeria, and urged it to urgently examine the worsening situation in Borgu, which he said was rapidly getting out of control.
