The Niger State Government has issued a two-month ultimatum to residents of hamlets surrounding Kainji Lake to vacate the area for resettlement, as part of intensified security operations to flush out criminal elements and dismantle terror camps in the region.
Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago gave the directive on Tuesday during a condolence visit to the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, at his palace in New Bussa, following a recent terrorist attack in the Borgu Emirate.
The governor said the planned resettlement, to be coordinated by the Emirate Council, had become inevitable to prevent collateral damage as the state government, working with the Federal Government, moves to clear forests around Kainji Lake that have reportedly become havens for criminals.
According to Bago, the operation is aimed at reclaiming the land, restoring peace, and making the area safer and more habitable for law-abiding residents, while dismantling criminal networks operating within the forests.
He expressed concern over the influx of unprofiled persons into the area, describing it as a major security risk, and lamented the activities of informants who, he said, have continued to undermine security efforts.
The governor urged the Emirate Council to collaborate closely with security agencies and all tiers of government to address insecurity in the Emirate.
Bago also extended condolences to the Emir and the people of Borgu, particularly families of victims of the attack, praying for the repose of the deceased and strength for those affected.
Also speaking, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr. Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi, assured that the Federal Government would support initiatives aimed at restoring peace and security nationwide. He described the proposed relocation as a positive step, noting that reclaiming the forest would enable its redeployment for beneficial community use.
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In his response, the Emir of Borgu pledged the Emirate’s full cooperation with authorities to identify and prosecute informants, stressing that the protection of lives and property remains paramount.
The Emir commended Governor Bago for the condolence visit and reaffirmed the Emirate’s commitment to supporting government policies and programmes designed to improve the welfare of the people.
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