Terrorists Demand Food and Supplies from Communities in Niger

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Four communities in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State were reportedly threatened by terrorists who demanded that the residents purchase food and other items for them, or face an attack.

Sources close to the communities say the terrorists provided a total of N12 million to local leaders to facilitate the purchases.

According to reports, the terrorists entered the communities from Kainji National Park.

The communities targeted were Dakara, Gbenji Gidazana village, Kpeya/Biyan village area, and Giragbasso/Imile village.

Funding allocations were N3.800 000 for Dakara village, N3.800 000 for Gbenji Gidazana village, N2.300 000 for Kpeya/Biyan village, and N2.300 000 for Giragbasso/Imile village.

Items requested by the terrorists included bags of sugar, Jerry cans of palm oil, gallons of controlla oil, Maggi Star, and bags of salt.

Other items listed were cartons of spaghetti, pasta, bags of rice, and cow‑type milk.

One of the affected village heads (name withheld) alerted security operatives to the situation.

Following the alert, soldiers reportedly stormed some of the villages, during which several terrorists were neutralised.

Motorcycles used by the terrorists were reportedly impounded by the soldiers.

Attempts to obtain confirmation from the state Commissioner of Police, Mr. Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, were unsuccessful; he said he was at a meeting and would respond to THISDAY later. After several days, the commissioner had not replied.