IDP camps multiply in Niger as bandits intensify attacks

The number of camps sheltering residents displaced by bandit attacks in Niger State has multiplied to 25 in Shiroro local government area alone.

Residents, who left the camps for displaced people to return to their homes, on Wednesday, returned to camps early Thursday.

• You can’t force Buhari out of office before 2023, supporters say
• Zamfara APC doles out 400 cattle to members for Sallah

Their numbers swelled with newly displaced people after fresh attacks.

8 Wards attacked in Shiroro

Speaking to journalists on the sideline of donation of relief items by the federal government to the IDPs in the state, acting chairman of Shiroro local government council, Isiaku Bawa, lamented over the situation.

“The situation is getting worse as they are even attacking as we speak. Gurmana Ward is under attack now. We need government intervention just like they promised so that our people can go back to their villages. We need more military presence now because rainy season will soon start.

“There are 25 IDP camps in Shiroro local government as all primary and secondary schools in the council have been occupied by the IDPs,” Bawa said.

11 wards ransacked in Munya LGA

Attacks have hit 11 wards in Munya council area where 1,500 residents have been newly displaced.

Chairman of the Munya local government,  Garba Muhammed, who was also at Gwada to receive federal government relief items said despite the challenges in the last few weeks, the security situation is now fair.

“The recent attacks on Sarkin Pawa, the headquarters of Munya local was repelled by the men of vigilantes, Mopol and soldier,” Munya said.

“They faced the bandits and sent them back to the bush. The people in the town have not experienced such again.”

SSG reacts to recent attack

Secretary to the State Government, Ahmed Matane, noted that camp is usually dynamic.

“When the situation improves, some of them go back quietly to their communities. There are other IDPs taking shelter with their relations within the town. And. Other locations. Let me also. Emphasis that there are two camps here in Gwada, Sarki Pawa, Kuta, there are IDPs in Padongari and as I’m speaking with you we had large number of IDPs coming into Kotangora because of attacks in Mariga, Shadanki, Mangi and other locations.

“Unfortunately, it is not the best of time for us in terms of security as many communities have been dislocated. It is not what we have anticipated but we need to respond to it by providing comfort for the IDPs.

State government in partnership with the Federal government is doing everything possible to ensure that we make the communities safer so that in a few weeks, these communities members can go back and go about their farming activities.

“Everyone here wants to go back home ordinarily but home has to be safe and we believe it is our responsibility as a state government which we have taken over and has been discharging it to ensure that IDPs go back within the shortest time.

“Our plan is that no community member goes back to the area until the place is safe. There over 70 of these communities that have been displaced and we said they should remain here for a few weeks until we are able to deal with the security situation of the areas, we warn them not to go back which we keep emphasizing and that they would be told when it is safer to go back, ” Matane said.