The Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Dekara, in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Zubairu Salihu, has alleged that terrorists forced the closure of schools in his community after issuing threats against Western education.
Salihu made the disclosure during a press conference in New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu LGA, organised by the Borgu Kingdom Youth Development Association to draw attention to the rising wave of attacks, kidnappings and destruction of property in the area.
He recalled that armed men invaded Dekara on May 11, 2021, abducted the district head and warned residents to shut down schools, a development that led to the closure of Government Day Secondary School in the community.
According to him, the situation has worsened, with the attackers returning this year to force the closure of six primary schools in the district before allegedly setting five of them ablaze last month.
Salihu lamented that the prolonged insecurity had crippled education and farming activities, adding that residents were now more concerned about safety than anything else.
"We are farmers. The only thing we need from the government is security. If we can safely return to our farms, we can feed ourselves. Several communities have been abandoned, and I doubt elections can hold in many of them," he said.
Also speaking, President of the Borgu Kingdom Youth Development Association, Abdullahi Yahaya Sadauki, described the security situation as a humanitarian crisis, alleging that more than seven communities had been destroyed by terrorists, forcing many residents to flee.
He listed affected communities to include Konkoso, Kasuwan Daji, Pissa, Gangale, Woro, Tungan Makeri, Old Gangale, Boiya, Bakinba and Wawa, saying farmlands had been abandoned, businesses ruined and healthcare services disrupted, while schools outside New Bussa had remained shut since January 2026.
Sadauki appealed to the Federal Government and the Niger State Government to intensify security operations in the area through the establishment of additional Forward Operating Bases, improved intelligence gathering and stronger support for local vigilantes.
He also called for urgent humanitarian assistance for displaced residents, rehabilitation of the damaged bridge linking New Bussa to surrounding communities, and the rescue of victims still being held by terrorists.
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