Soldiers Return to Troubled Niger Communities

By Laleye Dipo

Soldiers on Saturday returned to Bassa and Allawa towns in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State more than one month after relocating from the areas as a result of bandits’ invasion of their camps.

THISDAY gathered that heavily armed soldiers in about 100 camouflage vehicles stormed the communities to begin a special operation in the local government.

The return of the soldiers followed a series of meetings between the new General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Mechanised Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Maj-Gen. Danjuma Hamisu Ali-Keffi, the state government and other stakeholders in the state.

A source in the community informed THISDAY that the villagers are appreciative of the return of the military and are said to be jubilating as a result of the development.

The military camps in Allawa and Bassa in Shiroro Local Government of the state were shut down last month after bandits numbering about 100 invaded the Security Joint Taskforce camps in the two towns, killing a total of 12 soldiers, burning the camps and some operational vehicles.

Another camp at Zagzaga in Munya Local Government was also sacked a few days later during which one RSM was kidnapped and found dead three days after.

It could however not be confirmed if the military has returned to Zagzaga.

Commenting on the development, the senator representing Niger East Senatorial zone in the National Assembly, Alhaji Sani Musa, hailed the government action, saying: “It is a welcome development and a great relief to the people it should be sustained.

“The return of soldiers is a great relief for my people, and I want to thank and commend President Muhammadu Buhari and the military for the return of the soldiers.

“I will equally want to appeal to them to hasten the return of soldiers to other communities to enable the people go back to their homes to continue their farming business.”