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Category: Niger Update

  • Fear, Anger as Gory Details of Massacre Emerge from Kwokoso Village in Niger State

    Fear, Anger as Gory Details of Massacre Emerge from Kwokoso Village in Niger State

    Gory details are emerging from Kwokoso village in Borgu LGA of Niger State, where a deadly weekend attack left several residents dead and communities accusing leaders of abandoning rural areas to violent criminals.

    The latest violence adds to mounting insecurity concerns across Niger State, as survivors demand urgent security action and accountability from authorities.

    Local accounts describe how armed assailants invaded the village, unleashing terror on unsuspecting residents. Victims were said to have been attacked in their homes and on nearby farmlands, leaving families devastated and forcing many villagers to flee the area for safety.

    Survivors told reporters that the attackers operated for an extended period without any immediate security intervention, heightening fears over the vulnerability of rural communities in the state.

    The scale and brutality of the assault have left Kwokoso largely deserted, with women, children, and the elderly seeking refuge in neighbouring towns.

    The incident has triggered anger and frustration among residents, who accuse political leaders of abandoning remote communities to their fate.

    According to locals, repeated appeals for improved security in the area had yielded little response before the attack occurred.

    “Our people are being killed, yet those in authority appear unbothered,” a resident said, lamenting what he described as official indifference to the plight of rural dwellers.

    As at press time, there was no comprehensive official confirmation of the number of casualties, nor information on arrests linked to the incident.

    Community leaders, however, have called on the Niger State Government and security agencies to launch a thorough investigation, deploy security personnel to the area, and provide relief for displaced residents.

    The killings in Kwokoso add to growing concerns over insecurity in parts of Niger State, where armed attacks on villages have become increasingly frequent.

    Analysts warn that unless urgent and sustained measures are taken, rural populations will continue to bear the brunt of the security crisis.

  • Flood preparedness: NEMA engages stakeholders on 2025 mitigation strategies

    The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), has engaged stakeholders on preparedness and mitigation strategies against anticipated floods in Niger state.

    Mrs Zubaida Umar, Director-General of NEMA, said this at a stakeholders’ engagement on National disaster Preparedness and Response Campaign (NPRC) 2025 in Minna on Thursday.

    The theme of the engagement is: “Strengthening Resilience, Enhancing Preparedness and Response”.

    Umar, represented by Dr Ishaya Chonoko, Zonal Director in Charge of North West Zone of NEMA, said that the engagement was to strengthen resilience, enhance preparedness, and response to flood disasters across the country.

    She said NEMA had received insights into rainfall patterns and flood scenarios for 2025 from the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) and Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA).

    “NEMA will deploy teams to all states to engage with flood-prone communities, taking early warning messages to the grassroots.

    “This will be done with the support of state Emergency Management Agencies (SEMAs), Local Emergency Management Committees (LEMCs), and community volunteers,” she said.

    The director-general called on partners such as the traditional institutions, religious organisations, women and youth groups and the media, to support the initiative, saying disaster management was everyone’s business.

    According to her, all hands must be on deck to take the right early warning to safeguard communities at risk, protect critical infrastructure and support uninterrupted socio-economic activities in various communities.

    “There is a need to step up our games on what we can do differently from the past and come up with solutions and prepare for quick response.” she added.

    Also speaking, Dr Hussaini Ibrahim, Overseeing Director-General, Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) said the meeting would proffer solutions to flooding, preparedness, and response from expected flooding to save lives and property and minimise flooding.

    Similarly, Alhaji Ahmed Yumu, Commissioner, Ministry for Humanitarian and Disaster Management, said the campaign would help reduce impacts of annually recurring floods in the state.

    Also in attendance were Mr Hussaini Isah, Head, NEMA, Minna Operations Office, Area Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Mr Akapo Adeboye, traditional leaders and stakeholders from the police, army amongst others.

  • Niger State donates N1bn, grains to Mokwa flood victims

    Niger State donates N1bn, grains to Mokwa flood victims

    Niger Governor, Mohammed Bago, has announced a donation of one billion Naira to the victims of the recent flood disaster in Mokwa Local Government Area of the state.

    The governor announced the donation during an on the spot assessment of houses destroyed by the flood, where he subsequently addressed the people of the community.

    He said that the state government would provide ten trucks each of rice, beans, maize, millet and sorghum to the flood victims.

    While commiserating with the victims, he promised that all donations made would be judiciously distributed to them through a committee that would be headed by his deputy, Mr Yakubu Garba.

    Bago said that the government would also provide resettlement land and services to them.

    He directed the Ministry for Land and Survey to issue a certificate of occupancy (C of O) to the Federal Government to facilitate immediate construction of the resettlement homes for the victims.

    According to Bago, while the state government awaits the construction of the resettlement homes by the Federal Government, necessary arrangements will be made to move them from the IDP camp.

    He appreciated the Federal government, donor partners and other government agencies, as well as spirited individuals that had upported the victims.

    Earlier, the Speaker, Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulmalik Daji, sympathised with the people of Mokwa especially, the victims of the flood.

    Daji encouraged them to remain steadfast in the will of God at all times.

    Also, the Etsu Nupe, and Chairman, Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, and the former Deputy Governor of the state, Alhaji Mohammed Ketso commended the governor for his kindness to the people.

    They also appreciated the support and solidarity from all those that had made donations.

  • Gov Bago says Niger to construct $2m poultry farm in Bosso

    Gov Bago says Niger to construct $2m poultry farm in Bosso

    Gov. Mohammed Umaru-Bago of Niger says that a 2 million dollars poultry farm will be constructed in Bosso Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.

    Umaru-Bago said this on Friday in Maikunkele, the headquarters of the LGA  during an engagement with the stakeholders in continuation of his state wide projects monitoring tour.

    Governor Bago, who did not state the size and capacity of the farm, said the construction of the poultry was in line with the livestock development initiative of the Federal Government, with Niger as a pilot state.

    The governor, who enumerated the numerous road projects ongoing in the area, enjoined the people to continue to support his administration to ensure its success.

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    He  urged those whose properties were affected in road constructions to show understanding and move away from the properties to speed up the projects.

    He assured them that the would be fully compensated.

    Umaru-Bago, who observed the increasing population in Bosso LGA, said a General Hospital will be built  there to decongest the one in Minna and promised to fix  electricity challenges in Kodo.

    He applauded the senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sen. Mohammed Musa, for his good work for the people of his constituency.

    He said a mini stadium and a skills acquisition centre would be constructed by the senator in the LGA and that 20 people from the area would benefit from his scholarship in Singapore.

    He also appreciated the member representing Bosso/Paikoro Federal Constituency, Baraje Kure, for his support to the developmental strides of his administration.

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    The Deputy Governor, Mr Yakubu Garba, called for the continuous support from the people of Bosso LGA and assured them of the commitment of the Bago-led administration in meeting their aspirations.

    Musa commended the governor, emphasising that his administration had  prioritised the welfare of the people of the area.

    He said this was especially in its agricultural policy as it had been designated a Special Agro-industrial Processing Zone.

    He said this would create direct and indirect jobs with positive implications for the wellbeing of the people of the area.

    Similarly, Kure said he would support the government’s efforts with N1 billion, provide fertiliser and other farm inputs to farmers.

  • Governor Bago Declares 3-Day Public Holiday To Distribute FG Palliatives 

    Governor Bago Declares 3-Day Public Holiday To Distribute FG Palliatives 

    Niger State Governor, Mohammed Bago has declared Wednesday, Thursday and Friday next week as public holidays to allow for the effective distribution of palliatives to residents across all the 25 Local Government Areas of the State.
    Speaking at a press conference at Government House, Minna, the governor announced that the state had supplemented the N5 billion palliative fund from the federal government with an additional N250 million.
    Below are the highlights of the modalities adopted for distribution:
    All the Wards in Suleja, Chanchaga, Bida and Kontagora Local Governments are to have N20 million per ward.
    All the Wards in the remaining 21 Local Government Areas of the State will get 10 million Naira each.
    Traditional Institutions to get N80 million.
    Internally Displaced Persons to get N75 million.
    Logistics and Organized Labour, to gulp N110 million
    Political parties to get N150 million.
    All the money is to hit the Local Government council Account by Monday next week.
    The cash will be injected into the local markets in the state.
    Five trucks of Rice will be distributed to each Ward of the 25 Local Government Areas.
    40,000 bags of Maize is still anticipated from the Federal government and the state government will add 10,000 bags to make it 50,000 bags for distribution to all the polling units across the state.
    The governor said the state and local governments will repay 58 per cent of the N5 billion in 20 months, while the federal government covers the remaining 42 per cent. Local committees, including former and current public office holders, will oversee the distribution process.
    Local Government and Ward Committees are to decide what food items to buy depending on the needs of their people.
    Standing Committees comprising Former and serving public office holders are to ensure effective and efficient distribution of the palliatives in their respective Constituencies.
    Also to cushion the effect of fuel subsidy removal, Governor Umaru Bago disclosed some steps taken by the state government to ease movement of goods and services .
    200 CNG Luxurious Buses will be made available to provide free public transportation to all students and pupils in public schools.
    Civil Servants will also benefit at a discounted rate .
    100 of the Buses are to ply the Suleja to Abuja axis.
    50 Buses to ply Minna and 50 to other Local Government Areas.
    Directives have been given to the Ministries of Lands and Agriculture to provide 10,000 hectares of arable land in every Local Government.
    By December 2023, 250,000 arable lands should be cleared to boost national policy on food security.
    Farm Machinery to be provided
    500,000 youths are to be employed in the pilot scheme in Agricultural activities.
    400,000 women are to be employed as pickers of Shea nuts.
    On Education;
    Payment of bursary to students is to be revived.
    Governor Umaru Bago used the medium to appeal to Nigerlites to be patient as his administration remains committed to serving them better.
    He however warned that anyone who is found wanting in the distribution of the palliatives will be jailed to serve as a deterrent to others.
  • Protesters Shot Dead In Niger State

    Protesters Shot Dead In Niger State

    The victims were said to have been killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted barricade on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway.

    At least six people have been reportedly killed while some sustained injuries in the ongoing #ENDBADGOVERNANCE protest in Suleja, Niger State.
    The victims were said to have been killed while security operatives were struggling to dislodge a group of protesters who mounted barricade on a section of Abuja-Kaduna highway.
    Daily Trust had reported how passengers and motorists were trapped on the road for hours.
    Some policemen who were around the barricade could not control the youths who outnumbered them.
    However, a reinforcement team was sent to the scene where pandemonium occurred.
    Among those killed was said to be Yahaya Nda Isah, a resident of Hassan Dalatu Road, Suleja, who was hit by a stray bullet.
    The bullet reportedly hit Isa on his bike in front of the Suleja Police ‘A’ division where protesters had assembled.
    A nephew of the deceased told Daily Trust that his uncle was on his bike when the bullet fired to disperse the protesters hit him on his chest and he died on the spot.
    “He was my uncle. He was not even protesting. He was passing in front of the Police ‘A’ division where some people were protesting when stray Bullet hit him on his chest and he died. As I speak with you, I am in his house alongside other mourners. It’s unfortunate”, he said.
    Another victim was simply identified as Mallam Abu also said died on the spot.
    One of the residents who did not want his name mentioned told Daily Trust that 3 other people were shot at the same scene while 2 others were shot at the Suleja Junction on Abuja-Kaduna road but could not confirm if other victims were dead.
    Another resident who said his shop was not far from the Suleja Police “A” division said he had to close to run for his life.
    “We heard people shouting and gunshots were heard for about 20 minutes at Emir Roundabout. The situation in Suleja is ugly”, Bala Abdullahi, another resident.
    Spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said some hoodlums also attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze but they were dispersed by security operatives.
    “The miscreants attempted to set the Tafa LGA ablaze, they were dispersed by the Police and military. Kaduna road and toll gate was cleared”, he said.
    When contacted over the phone, Wasiu Abiodun, Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, said, “Let me verify and get back to you.”
    However, he had not sent his response as of the time of filing this report.
  • Man Stripped Of Traditional Title For Supporting Nationwide Protests

    Man Stripped Of Traditional Title For Supporting Nationwide Protests

    The District Head of Bosso in Minna Emirate Council in Niger State, Alhaji Mu’azu Adamu Laka Bosso, has relieved one Abdulahi Isah, aka Biodun, of the title: Wakilin Matasan Bosso.
    According to Daily Trust, the traditional title holder was reportedly dismissed for supporting the planned nationwide protests.
    In a letter titled: “Letter of dismissal”, Mu’azu, who did not give the reason for the sack, said: “I hereby write to inform you that you have been dismissed from your title as Youth Leader of Bosso (Wakilin Matasan Bosso) with immediate effect from 28/07/2024. You should no longer call yourself as Youth Leader of Bosso.”
    However, speaking in an interview Tsalle Daya, a Hausa programme on Prestige, the district head said that Biodun was stripped of his title for declaring support for the forthcoming nationwide protest over hardship.
    The district head was cited as saying his domain would not condone any act that would lead to breakdown of law and order.