Borgu Bleeds: Emir’s Son Seeks Emergency Military Intervention, Border Lockdown
Borgu Kingdom in Niger State is sliding into a deepening security crisis as armed bandits continue to unleash attacks on rural communities, forcing farmers off their land, shutting down schools, and leaving residents trapped in a daily struggle for survival. Raising alarm over what he described as the silent suffering of the kingdom, Murtala Haliru […]
Borgu Kingdom in Niger State is sliding into a deepening security crisis as armed bandits continue to unleash attacks on rural communities, forcing farmers off their land, shutting down schools, and leaving residents trapped in a daily struggle for survival.
Raising alarm over what he described as the silent suffering of the kingdom, Murtala Haliru Dantoro, son of the late Emir of Borgu, Senator Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III, has called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy a special military task force to the area and establish permanent military bases in strategic communities.
Dantoro made the appeal during a press briefing in Kaduna, where he spoke on behalf of what he termed the “voiceless people of Borgu Kingdom,” warning that the situation has deteriorated to a level that now threatens the very existence of many communities.
According to him, persistent bandit attacks across the Borgu axis have made it impossible for farmers to access their farmlands, while children remain out of school as families flee or live in constant fear of violence.
To restore security, he demanded the establishment of permanent military bases in New Bussa, Babana, Dugga, Wawa, and other strategic locations, stressing that only a sustained military presence—not temporary deployments—can halt the violence and reassure displaced residents.
Dantoro also urged the Federal Government to immediately seal all porous borders linking Borgu Kingdom with Benin Republic and Niger Republic, which he identified as major infiltration routes for criminal elements.
He called for the deployment of border patrol units along the Mokwa–New Bussa road and other vulnerable corridors, supported by 24-hour checkpoints and surveillance.
Beyond troop deployment, he emphasized the need for stronger intelligence coordination, including intelligence-sharing arrangements with neighbouring countries to curb cross-border banditry and arms trafficking.
On local security efforts, Dantoro appealed for the training and equipping of community vigilante groups and the Civilian Joint Task Force to support conventional security agencies, particularly in intelligence gathering and early response.
He also advocated the provision of communication gadgets, early-warning equipment, and the integration of community policing structures directly linked to the military.
He further stressed that traditional rulers, hunters, and community leaders must be formally engaged as grassroots intelligence sources, proposing anonymous reporting systems to allow residents report threats without fear of reprisal.
Addressing infrastructural challenges, Dantoro called for the rehabilitation of critical access roads to enable rapid security response, the clearing of bushes along major routes to eliminate ambush points, and the installation of street lights in vulnerable communities.
He also proposed the construction of security outposts at key junctions and the introduction of 24-hour joint military and police patrols, including regular night patrols where necessary.
In a direct appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Dantoro urged the President to exercise personal oversight of the Borgu security crisis through the appointment of a Special Security Adviser dedicated to the kingdom, along with the submission of weekly security reports to the Presidency.
He further called on President Tinubu who holds the traditional title of Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom to personally visit the area, conduct monthly security review meetings with service chiefs, and demonstrate visible leadership in addressing the crisis.
Dantoro also demanded accountability within the security architecture, calling for the removal and discipline of commanders who have failed to protect Borgu communities, while urging that officers who show courage and effectiveness be recognised and rewarded.
Warning against short-term solutions, he insisted that any intervention must be sustained, proposing a minimum of five years of continuous military presence, a dedicated annual security budget, and the establishment of a permanent security coordination centre in New Bussa.
He outlined an emergency timeline for action, calling for immediate military deployment within seven days, full implementation of security measures within 30 days, and continuous monthly reviews to prevent a relapse.
Dantoro appealed to the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) to intervene, noting that promoting peace and stability in Northern Nigeria remains one of its core mandates. He warned that Borgu Kingdom is “bleeding in silence” and that without urgent collective action, the consequences could be devastating.