Thursday, November 27, 2025 - Member representing Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency of Niger State, Jafaru Mohammad Ali on Wednesday raised the alarm that Kainji National Park, once a hub of Nigeria’s wildlife and tourism, has now become a stronghold for terrorists and demanded for an immediate military intervention to save the Constituency from the daily dastardly act of the daring bandits
Addressing newsmen after the House adopted his motion under
Matters of Urgent Public Importance, the visibly disturbed Lawmaker also
made a passionate plea to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene before the
crisis escalates further.
The lawmaker who was recently brutally attacked by the bandits lamented that terrorists
have fully taken over the control of the park, displacing rangers, seizing
administrative offices, and converting tourist facilities into operational
bases.
“Nobody can enter the park anymore, the National Park
has become a haven for terrorists, residents are being displaced, forced to
compromise, or k!lled,” he said.
“If urgent action is not taken, the entire constituency
risks total domination by these criminals, they operate openly unchallenged.”
He lamented that the park, which straddles multiple states,
was now being used as a launchpad for attacks on Niger, Kebbi, and Kwara
States, as well as neighbouring Benin Republic.
“Many of the terrorists are foreign fighters moving through
interconnected forest reserves to strengthen their hold on the region."
The Lawmaker cited several recent attacks linked to the
park’s takeover, including the November 21 abduction of 303 students and 12
teachers from St. Mary’s Primary and Secondary School in Papiri, Agwara Local
Government Area of the state; the November 4 ambush on his convoy, and the
November 2 k!llings at Gidan Guga.
Ali urged the House to direct the Chief of Defence Staff to
deploy well-equipped troops and establish Forward Operating Bases in strategic
communities, including Lumma, Audu Fari, Agwara, and Mago.
The Lawmaker also called on NEMA and the Refugee Commission
to assist displaced residents and for NALDA and the Agriculture Ministry to
transform the park into a secure agricultural zone once cleared.
Highlighting the severity of the crisis, he recalled
narrowly escaping an ambush by the terrorists along the Lumma–Babanna road last
Tuesday, which left one soldier and six others d3ad.
While calling for the immediate and direct intervention of
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu as the father of the nation and the longstanding
ties between the Borgu Emirate and him, he warned that neglect could deepen the
suffering of residents.
“We supported him. We won all the polling units for him. We
don’t want anything from him—only peace in our communities,” he concluded.
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