Niger introduces nighttime restrictions in certain areas amid intercommunal violence

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Governor of Niger State Umar Bago

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The Niger State government has imposed a curfew on some communities in Rafi Local Government Area following renewed communal clashes that claimed lives and property.

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Gov. Umaru Bago of Niger said this during a visit to the communities affected by the clash between the Kamuku and Fulani in Tashar Bako.

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He directed security agencies to deploy all available security assets to the communities as part of efforts to restore peace and prevent further breakdown of law and order.

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The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the communal violence stemmed from a farming dispute and had claimed about 80 lives so far.

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Bago, represented by his deputy, Mr Yakubu Garba, directed security agencies to activate all available security architecture across the affected areas.

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He also directed them to adopt both kinetic and non-kinetic measures to contain the crisis and prevent its escalation.

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The governor, who inspected the affected communities and identified flashpoints, said preliminary findings indicate that the conflict originated from a dispute over farmland.

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He directed the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmad Garba-Gunna, to constitute a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to facilitate dialogue, build trust and promote lasting peace among the affected communities.

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Bago also appealed to social media users and influencers to refrain from circulating inflammatory or unverified information capable of worsening the security situation.

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He assured residents that the state government would implement measures to prevent a recurrence of the crisis and urged the feuding communities to embrace peace.

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According to him, both communities have lived together harmoniously for generations and should not allow the actions of a few individuals to undermine their long-standing relationship.

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Garba-Gunna commended the state government and security agencies for their swift response to the crisis.

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He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel to restore peace, while cautioning politicians against politicising the incident.

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He stressed that the conflict should not be interpreted as an ethnic dispute between the Kamuku and Fulani communities.

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The emir sympathised with victims and urged security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the violence were identified, arrested and prosecuted.

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During the visit, the deputy governor visited displaced Kamuku victims taking refuge at Tegina Primary School and Fulani victims sheltered at Gimi Primary School. (NAN)

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