The Niger State government has issued a two-month notice to residents of hamlets around Kainji Lake to vacate the area for resettlement by the Emirate Council, citing urgent security concerns.

Governor Muhammad Bago announced the directive during a condolence visit to the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad-Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro IV, at his palace in New Bussa.

The visit followed a recent terrorist attack in the Emirate that claimed several lives.

Governor Bago explained that the resettlement was necessary to prevent collateral damage as his administration, in collaboration with the Federal Government, plans to clear the forest.

He said criminals had turned the Kainji Lake area into a camp, making the land unsafe for surrounding communities. “We cannot allow informants and unprofiled settlers to compromise security efforts. The Emirate Council must join forces with security agencies to combat insecurity,” Bago stated.

The governor extended condolences to the Emir and families of victims, praying for the repose of the souls lost in the attack.

Federal Government’s Position

Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Dr Aliyu Abdullahi, echoed the governor’s stance, stressing that relocation would pave the way for reclaiming the forest for community use.

“It will be a welcome development if concrete actions are taken to get the people relocated while the forest is taken back and deployed for further community use,” he said.

In his remarks, Emir Dantoro pledged to work closely with authorities to identify and prosecute informants undermining security in the Emirate.

He assured that “no stone will be left unturned in securing the lives and property of our people.”

The Emir expressed gratitude to Governor Bago for his visit and reaffirmed the Emirate’s support for government policies aimed at improving the welfare of the people.