Boko Haram seizes 500 communities in Niger, advances towards Shiroro power station

Five hundred communities, domiciled in eight political wards in Niger State are currently under the command of Boko Haram terrorists who have dislodged the Nigerian civil authority.

The chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area, Suleiman Chikuba, told newsmen on Friday that eight wards, including Manta, Gurmana, Bassa-Kokki, Allawa, Kurebe, Kushaka, Kwati and Chukumba, have been taken over by the insurgents.

According to him, the insurgents have reportedly threatened to take over Shiroro hydro-power station, one of Nigeria’s largest power infrastructure.

Chikuba’s alarm comes on the heels of the terrorists’ onslaught and massacre of innocent citizens in Kachiwe community, in Munya local government area of the State.

The State governor, Abubakar Sani Bello, had sounded a similar alarm after Boko Haram sacked villages and hoisted its flag in Kaure village of Shiroro LGA about six months ago.

Chikuba noted that Shiroro LGA was not only plagued with banditry but also suffered constant attacks from terrorists. 

He explained the takeover has emboldened the insurgents to begin the recruitment process of new members, promising them sophisticated arms as well as teaching them tactics to bring down the government. 

The local government chairman said his statements were no bluff as, according to him, he had proof to back up his claims. He, therefore, called on the Federal Government to force out the terrorists who seemed to have found a haven in Shiroro LGA.

Chikuba said, “As the Chairman of Shiroro local government area of Niger State, I can tell you that Shiroro is not only dealing with the issue of banditry, Shiroro has a lot of Boko Haram, I have proof of this as the chairman.

“Boko Haram has proclaimed that they do not want conventional primary and secondary schools, their only preference is the Islamic school”.

A spokesman for the Nigerian Army did not immediately return a request seeking comment about the insurgents’ growing threat in Niger and other parts of the North-central region.

Related news

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.