Residents of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State are reportedly crossing into the Republic of Benin to escape persistent attacks by armed men, as insecurity disrupts farming, trade, and movement across the border communities.
The development was disclosed by the African Democratic Congress House of Representatives candidate for Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency, Murtala Haliru Dantoro, who described the situation as a growing humanitarian and security crisis.
Dantoro raised the alarm at a press conference, saying killings, kidnappings and displacement had created an atmosphere of fear across the Borgu Emirate.
He said residents were increasingly abandoning their homes because they could no longer carry out ordinary activities without fear of attack.
According to him, the crisis has particularly affected farming and movement, threatening the livelihoods of communities that depend heavily on agriculture and local commerce.
Dantoro called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to establish a permanent security presence in the area rather than deploying personnel only after attacks have occurred.
“We are not asking to be rescued after the fact. We are asking for security before the fact,” he said.
The ADC candidate said the people of Borgu were seeking protection as citizens, not assistance as beneficiaries of government charity.
He maintained that residents should be able to live and conduct their businesses without the constant threat of violence.
The situation has been compounded by the destruction of a major bridge connecting Borgu with the Republic of Benin, Kebbi and Sokoto states, according to Dantoro.
He described the bridge as an important economic link whose loss has affected transportation, trade and other commercial activities.
With the road connection weakened and insecurity restricting movement, communities already facing economic difficulties are now dealing with another layer of disruption.
Dantoro said the reported movement of residents into Benin had transformed the security problem into a cross-border humanitarian concern. He called for intervention before more people are forced to leave their communities.
He also appealed to humanitarian organisations, both local and international, to support displaced residents from Babanna and other affected settlements.
According to him, women and children among those displaced require immediate access to temporary accommodation, healthcare, food and other basic necessities.
The candidate also pressed the Federal and Niger State governments to give the area greater security attention, particularly because of its proximity to an international border.
He said the objective should be to restore the confidence of residents to sleep in their homes, cultivate their farms, conduct trade and travel without fear.
The developments described by Dantoro point to a crisis extending beyond individual attacks. For communities whose livelihoods depend on access to farms, markets and neighbouring settlements, persistent violence can gradually empty villages, interrupt local commerce and push families across the border in search of safety.
Dantoro therefore called for sustained security operations capable of preventing attacks and protecting communities before further displacement occurs.
The claims about residents crossing into Benin were made by Dantoro and were not independently corroborated in the report.
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