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From John Adams, Minna
Youths in Borgu Local Government,Niger State have rejected Governor Umaru Bago’s claim that 63 people were abducted during an attack on Dekera community, insisting that the number of victims was close to 500.
The youths, under the aegis of the Borgu Youth Development Association (BYDA), took to the streets in a peaceful protest tagged “Lock Down Borgu Local Government,” to challenge the figures released by the state government and draw attention to the worsening insecurity in Borgu and neighbouring Agwara LG.
Governor Bago had said 63 people were abducted during the attack — 33 from a mosque and another 30 from a market — while dismissing reports that about 500 people were taken away as social media hype. According to the governor, 14 of the abductees had been rescued, while three others were killed.
“It was a social media hype. Thirty-three were kidnapped at the mosque, and on their way, they kidnapped an additional 30 in a market, making a total of 63,” Bago said.
“So far, three of those kidnapped were killed and 14 recovered from them, so we should not be misled by people and social media.”
However, BYDA disputed the governor’s account, insisting that substantially more people were abducted during the attack.
Former president of the association and member of its Board of Trustees, Aliyu Muna Usman, who led the protest, questioned the basis of the government’s figures.
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“These are Government House figures but not the actual figures,” he said.
Usman also criticised the governor for allegedly failing to visit the affected community for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
“The entire Borgu Kingdom, comprising Borgu and Agwara local government areas, have lost their peace and can no longer sleep.
“The people cannot go to the farm, markets and all other business activities have been grounded,” he said.
The protesters maintained that close to 500 people were abducted and faulted the state government for dismissing their account as social media propaganda.
Bago, however, acknowledged that Niger North, particularly Borgu, was facing serious security challenges arising from repeated abductions.
Former Niger State governor and Senator representing Niger North, Abubakar Bello, who was in the state to sympathise with the government and people over the deaths of 37 artisanal miners, said he would also travel to Borgu to commiserate with the emirate over the abductions.
Attempts to obtain the reaction of the Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Nasiru Abdullahi Mohammed, were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls.
