Fear and insecurity are driving residents of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State to seek safety across the border in the Republic of Benin, according to an alarm raised by the African Democratic Congress House of Representatives candidate for Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency, Murtala Haliru Dantoro.
Dantoro says persistent attacks by armed groups have left communities across the Borgu Emirate under siege, with killings, kidnappings and displacement disrupting everyday life.
Speaking at a press conference, the ADC candidate called on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to establish a permanent and sustained security presence in the area, warning that residents are increasingly unable to farm, travel or conduct their businesses without fear.
He said the worsening insecurity was no longer only a security concern but was beginning to trigger a humanitarian crisis, as some residents were reportedly crossing into neighbouring Benin Republic in search of safety.
Dantoro urged the government to move beyond responding to attacks after they occur and instead deploy security measures capable of preventing killings, abductions and displacement in the first place.
He also raised concerns over the destruction of a major bridge linking communities in Borgu with the Republic of Benin, as well as parts of Kebbi and Sokoto States.
The damaged infrastructure, he said, has severely disrupted movement, trade and other economic activities, adding another layer of hardship to communities already struggling with insecurity.
The situation is particularly concerning in border communities such as Babanna, where insecurity has previously disrupted access to roads and markets and restricted economic activity.
The Lumma–Babanna corridor has also witnessed attacks on critical infrastructure, including a bridge that serves communities and traders in the area.
Dantoro further appealed to federal and state authorities to prevent the crisis from escalating into a wider displacement emergency.
He called on local and international humanitarian organisations to provide urgent assistance to people displaced from Babanna and other affected communities, particularly women and children.
Among the immediate needs, he identified shelter, healthcare, food and other essential support for displaced families.
The ADC candidate also urged the Federal Government and security agencies to give Borgu greater security attention, warning that continued attacks could further depopulate communities, undermine livelihoods and weaken economic activity along the border.
For residents of the affected communities, the immediate priority remains restoring enough security to allow them to return to their farms, reopen businesses and move freely without fear.
