A member of the Borgu Royal Family in Niger State, Murtala Dantoro, has accused both the federal and state governments of systemic failure, warning that trrrorists are exploiting weak security presence to entrench themselves across Borgu Kingdom and surrounding areas.
Speaking in an interview with ARISE News on Thursday, Dantoro said Niger State, particularly Borgu Emirate, had become a “soft target” for terrorists due to its vast landmass, porous borders, and the absence of proactive security measures.
“The actual situation going on in Borgu Kingdom — and Borgu Kingdom comprises Borgu Local Government and Agwara Local Government — is deeply troubling. Borgu Local Government alone is almost 13,000 square kilometres. You can imagine the size of that land,” he said.
Dantoro pointed to the Kainji Lake National Park, which he described as largely idle for years, as a major hideout for criminal groups.
“For banditry activities to take place, they must look for a hideout, and unfortunately Borgu provides that. The Kainji Lake National Park has been idle for a very long time. Bandits are hiding there. This is public knowledge,” he stated.
He described the insecurity as “territorial banditry”, explaining that criminal groups establish permanent bases before launching attacks across neighbouring states.
“This is territorial banditry. They situate themselves somewhere and operate in different places. Borgu is in the North Central, bordered by several states, and apart from New Bussa, where the Kainji Dam is located, there is virtually no security presence,” Dantoro said.
According to him, areas stretching from Babanna to Papiri, including parts of Agwara Local Government, have been left completely exposed.
“There is no security presence from Babanna all the way down to Papiri. That is why these places are vulnerable. Insecurity thrives where places are isolated and neglected,” he added.
Dantoro cited the Papiri attack, where about 250 students were kidnapped, and the recent Kaswandagi attack, saying both incidents reflected a failure to learn lessons.
“Kaswandagi was a soft target. It was a market day. There was no proactiveness, only reactiveness. After what happened in Papiri, this should never have happened. There were no lessons learned,” he said.
He described the situation as a “systemic failure of government” at both state and federal levels.
“I will call it a systematic failure — on the part of government as a whole. Federal and state. Bandits know that nobody will come to rescue innocent people, so they keep doing whatever they want,” Dantoro said.
Speaking as a member of the Borgu Royal Family, Dantoro said traditional institutions had a duty to speak out when lives were at risk.
“I am from Borgu. I was born in Borgu. It is my duty to stand for my people. This is not about personal interest; it is about safeguarding our people,” he said.
He criticised what he described as empty official responses to killings and abductions.
“We want boots on ground. We don’t want statements. We don’t want press conferences. We don’t want cosmetic shows of emotion. People are dying. When will safeguarding our people become a priority?” he asked.
Dantoro called for immediate engagement with local vigilantes, saying they possess vital intelligence but remain neglected.
“The vigilantes are there. They know the terrain. They are rooted in the grassroots. But they have not been recognised. Recognition means taking care of them and acknowledging the critical role they play,” he said.
He argued that security planning from Abuja or state capitals without grassroots involvement would continue to fail.
“You cannot sit in Abuja or the city and expect people to tell you what is happening. You must build a network with the grassroots. They voted for you. You campaigned among them. You must also protect them,” he said.
Dantoro also called for synergy between security agencies and the National Park Service, noting that the Conservator-General of Parks is from Borgu Kingdom.
“The conservator general is from Borgu Kingdom. This is an institution there should be synergy with. The bandits are hiding in Kainji Lake National Park. The job of the conservator general is to protect the park and flush out illegal activities,” he said.
He proposed coordinated action involving park rangers, vigilantes, police, and the military.
“The rangers know the terrain. The police are there. The army is there. What we need are checkpoints. These areas are totally deserted. If you create checkpoints, you break their system psychologically,” Dantoro explained.
According to him, visible security presence alone could significantly reduce attacks.
“Once they know people are there to protect communities, they will either migrate, attack less, or stop completely,” he said.
Dantoro urged Niger State Governor Mohammed Umar Bago to take decisive leadership.
“The governor can do it, but he has to listen outside the box. The same people cannot keep telling you the same stories. You must listen to people outside the box,” he said.
He warned that without urgent action, Borgu and surrounding communities would remain exposed to escalating violence.
“This is an existential struggle for our people. If this continues, more innocent lives will be lost,” Dantoro concluded.
Boluwatife Enome
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