The Niger chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) has urged President Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in the Agwara Local Government Area of the state, with a mobile and armoured detachment capable of pursuing and neutralising bandits operating from nearby game reserves.

The chairman of CAN in Niger, and Catholic bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Yohanna, made the call while addressing journalists in Suleja Local Government Area over the persistent attacks in Agwara and Borgu LGAs.

Mr Yohanna called on the federal government to deploy adequate security personnel, provide necessary logistics and resources, and collaborate with local stakeholders to restore lasting peace in the affected communities.

He also urged the authorities to fortify police stations and security checkpoints without delay and to post more officers to Agwara, supported by enhanced vehicular mobility, to improve operational effectiveness.

In his remarks, a son of the late Emir of Borgu, Murtala Haliru-Dantoro, appealed to Mr Tinubu to urgently come to the aid of the people. He warned that continued attacks could wipe out their history, culture, traditions, and means of livelihood.

Mr Dantoro lamented that more than 300 persons in Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas had reportedly been killed by bandits, with many others abducted and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

He said the attackers kill indiscriminately, without regard to whether the victims are Muslims or Christians.

Mr Dantoro reminded the president that his traditional title, Jagaban Borgu, symbolises a sacred bond with the Borgu Emirate and urged him to do more to protect the people from terrorist attacks.

He further called on the federal government to declare Borgu and Agwara as security priority zones and to approve emergency funding for the rehabilitation of security infrastructure across the Borgu Kingdom.

Also speaking, a representative of the Muslim community in the area, Mohammed Sani, expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation, saying it had crippled education, agriculture, and other livelihoods.

According to him, terrorists now move freely and unchallenged in many communities, worsening the humanitarian and economic situation of residents.

(NAN)