CHUKS OYEMA-AZIKEN writes that the National Parks Service and other security agencies are not relenting in sustaining economic activities in Kainji National Parks and environs.
Residents of New Bussa in Borgu local government of Niger State were recently thrown into panic with alleged claim of influx of terrorists from Niger Republic and the Republic of Benin into the state.
The claim also displayed clips showing a large group of terrorists who are said to be linked with Boko Haram and a Al-Qaeda threatening to occupy Kainji National Park which created anxiety among residents of New Bussa.
On the spot assessment when journalists visited communities in the said areas show that information is not as was reported by some media outfits as residents of these communities were going about their normal activities.
Also, reports that the Kainji National Park was take over by jihadis believed to be of the ISWAP sect is also untrue as Military patrol and check points were seen around the park and communities.
Normal activities were going on in Communities such as Kaiama, Malale market, Sadoro, Matseri, Tungan gado, Tungan Nailo, Tungan Mai rakumi, Tungan Sule, Tungan Yakubu.
Others are Gungun Bussa, Tungan Giyayya, Tungan Sale, Gongola, Tungan Kuka, Ujiji, Tungan Ladan, Tungan Sule, Tungan Zubairu, Tungan Tsamiya, Tungan Jikka Bakwai and Tungan Bakin fili; these communities visited showed no signs of threat or IDP camps.
There is constant patrol of Military and National Park Rangers within and around the National Park where the terrorists where allegedly said to be hiding. Commuters were also plying the road without panic.
While on routine patrol of the National Park, Park Rangers arrested 5 Fulani herdsmen grazing with their cattle in the Park. The 5 Fulani herdsmen were handed over to the police.
Deputy chairman of Borgu Local government, Abdullahi Mohammed Nasir told journalists that there are no IDP camps any where as reported in some media platforms. According to him, the communities have well organized vigilante groups and they are positioned within and around the Park.
According to him “Borgu is about eleven thousand square kilometres, and all the security agencies here work as a family. I am in the office, not in Abuja or elsewhere, talking with you. I think some people whose mission in Borgu is not yet clear are the ones flying the kite of insecurity for whatever reasons but we are here in our farms, on our waters fishing and our various business keeping faith with our land.”
He said they are also collaborating with security agencies in case of any security breach. According to him they receive briefings from the Military, Police, DSS and other security agencies.
According to him at the local government level, they hold regular meetings with security agencies even at the traditional level down to the community heads, informations shared in case of any threat.
The chairman also said that he took out time and visited Babana, a border community with the Niger Republic and people were seen going about their normal businesses.
Youth Leader of the Borgu Youths Development Association (BYDA), Comrade Abdullahi Yahaya Sadauki said that influx of terrorists as reported is false.
According to him although there was significant panic initially by residents, the situation is said to be taken care of.
He revealed that last year terrorists unsuccessfully attempted to attack the army barracks. He said reports of terrorists hiding around New Bussa and claim of a large influx from Niger and Benin Republics was confirmed untrue and also dismissed the claim of IDP camps in the local government area.
He said “We have heard about those unending rumours of insurgent attacks and their take over of our communities. It’s a figment of the imagination of the curators of such narratives. We know that Nigeria is going through security challenges, and since we are part of the country, we can only be on alert here. It is very easy for us to hound down strangers with evil intentions. Once we suspect you, we hand such persons over to security agencies, and we do everything to work together with them to protect our inheritance and our land.”
He also said the managers of the Park, security agencies and the youths share information. According to him, they are also working along with the community heads in order to sensitize their youths.
During a visit to his palace, His Royal Highness, the Mai Borgu, Alhaji ( Dr) Mohammed Sani Dantoro, noted that the kingdom is in safe hands.
“I am here. My chiefs and district heads are here, and nobody is missing. We held a beautiful sallah celebration recently to appreciate God for his mercies. We thank our dear governor for what he is doing, and we pray for the president, who is the Jagaban Borgu and his government. The general insecurity issues are part of developmental challenges, and I believe it would be over soon, if not already over. Here in Borgu land, security is everyone’s business, and we, the traditional rulers, are working together with the security agencies to keep peace here, ” he added.
The Conservator of Parks, Kainji Lake National Park, Zanna A. Lawan, confirmed routine patrol and other activities have been going on without hindrances. According to him they have been making arrests and prosecuting park offenders
He further confirmed that there is strong synergy amongst the security agencies.
Lawan said there is also joint patrol, intelligence gathering and sharing information within and around Borgu, that is between Niger and Kwara states.
Zanna said there is no IDP camp in Borgu and that the people of Borgu and other environment are going about their normal businesses. He said the road from Mokwa that passes through the Kainji Lake National Park is accessable, so also the road that passes through Kainji Lake National Park.
Overall, the people of the area, while commending the efforts of the National Parks and the other security agencies, called for more support to enable them deepen coverage of the Kainji Park and the environs.
They added that this will increase the economic viability of the Park and enhance livelihoods of the people.
