Niger State Government has visited communities affected by communal clashes in Rafi Local Government Area and directed the state’s security Chiefs to take immediate and decisive action to restore peace and prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
The directive was issued by the Farmer Governor of Niger State, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, represented by the Deputy Governor, Comrade Yakubu Garba, during an assessment visit to communities affected by the recent communal clash involving members of the Kamuku and Fulani communities of Tashar Bako.
This was contained in a statement signed by Ummikhaltume Abdullahi Kuta.Press Secretary to the Deputy Governor of Niger State issued to newsmen.
Governor Bago ordered the immediate deployment and activation of all available security assets across the affected areas and directed security agencies to adopt proactive measures to contain the crisis and prevent its escalation. He also emphasized the need to combine both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches in resolving the lingering conflict.
During an on-the-spot assessment of the affected communities and identified flashpoints, the Governor disclosed that preliminary findings indicated the crisis originated from a farming dispute that began about two months ago.
He directed the Emir of Kagara to constitute a Peace and Reconciliation Committee within the emirate to facilitate dialogue, foster mutual understanding, and promote lasting peace among the affected communities.
The state government also appealed to social media users and influencers to refrain from circulating inflammatory or unverified content capable of aggravating the situation.
As part of efforts to restore normalcy, Governor Bago approved the imposition of a curfew in the affected communities.
The Governor assured residents that the government would implement decisive and stringent measures to prevent a recurrence of the crisis. He urged all parties to embrace peaceful coexistence, noting that the Kamuku and Fulani communities had lived together harmoniously for generations.
Speaking during the visit, the Emir of Kagara, His Royal Highness Alhaji Ahmed Garba Gunna, commended the Niger State Government and security agencies for their swift intervention.
He appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate fully with security personnel in their efforts to restore peace and security.
The Emir also cautioned politicians against politicising the incident, stressing that the conflict should not be viewed as an ethnic dispute between the Kamuku and Fulani communities.
He expressed sympathy to those affected and urged security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the violence are identified, arrested, and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Governor also visited Kamuku victims taking refuge at Tegina Primary School and Fulani victims at Gimi Primary School, where he sympathized with them and reassured them of the government’s commitment to their safety, welfare, and eventual return to their communities in peace.
As part of the assessment tour, the Governor also visited Tashar Bako, the scene of the incident, to evaluate the extent of the damage and assess the government’s immediate intervention needs.
