Is Niger the new Borno State of Nigeria

Niger is sadly on the journey to becoming the new Borno State of Nigeria. Discerning minds have since predicted the evolving of this unfortunate scenario, given the similarity between the two states. Niger occupies 10 percent of the total landmass of Nigeria, covering 76,363 kilometres with Borno trailing next with 70,898 kilometre square. All the ‘settings’ (landmass, porous borders, poverty, etc) that have made it possible for insecurity to thrive and become insurmountable in Borno can be found in folds in Niger State. It is therefore, not surprising that the state is already experiencing horrible tales of abduction, kidnappings and killings.

The happenings were judiciously foretold given the twin characteristics of both states. Unfortunately, we are a nation of people whose system is largely reactive as against proactive, and so, we have to pay the price for that complacency. Good news is that the zone ‘A’ geographical zone of the state is the safest as the bandits have not been able to penetrate the Nupe-speaking areas. This is attributed to the fact that they don’t communicate with any but their dialect and because of that, it is easy to spot aliens from among locals.

The zone B areas - Gbagyispeaking

where I hail from are the worst hit with Shiroro and Munya local government areas as epicenters. All the states that are dealing with insecurity issues have one common feature; they have forests and landmass that have not been put into use. One of the reasons insecurity appears unending in Borno is that criminals found safe heavens in the Sambisa forest; there are many ‘Sambisas’ in Niger State.

Athough, the Niger State government has employed a non-combative approach that seems to have yielded results in securing the release of abducted persons, the federal government may wish to employ a similar uncommon ways of ridding the nation of banditry, kidnappings and killings even if it is going to be by way of seeking help from the United States America, irrespective of the several conspiracy theories flouted on their complicity in the insurgency that has bedeviled the nation.

The country is in dire need of uncommon solutions to these hydra-headed uncommon episodes of abductions and killings ravaging the North at a time we have a president that is from the North. What a pity!

Sarki M. Bello can be reached via sarkeebel@ hotmail.com