You must account for souls lost in Niger State - MAHDI SHEHU tells Governor BAGO

Monday, September 21, 2026 - Public affairs commentator, Mahdi Shehu has criticised Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umar Bago, over the wave of killings in the state.

According to him, the governor would one day be held accountable for the lives lost while in office.

Shehu made the remarks in a post shared on his X handle on Sunday, where he listed several deadly attacks that have hit different communities in Niger State in 2026.

Referring to the recent deaths of 37 children during a food distribution exercise allegedly supervised by officials of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Shehu described the incident as “another sad commentary of recurring tragedy in Niger State.”

He also recalled other attacks across the state, including the reported killing of 61 civilians and security personnel in Shiroro Local Government Area in April, more than 30 deaths in Borgu Local Government Area in August, and several other attacks in Borgu, Shiroro and Rafi local government areas.

According to Shehu, the state has continued to witness deadly attacks almost every week, adding that the incidents were “too numerous to be counted.”

He also cited figures which he said were based on data from the European Union Agency for Asylum, EUAA, using ACLED records, claiming that 1,058 people were killed in Niger State between January 2024 and December 2025.

The commentator accused Governor Bago of paying more attention to politics than addressing insecurity in the state.

He claimed the governor was busy politicking, dancing Buga, pushing for his re-election and marketing APC head to toe instead of focusing on the safety of residents.

“Yet the Niger state Governor is busy politicking, dancing Buga, pushing for his re-election, marketing APC head to toe, kowtowing before Tinubu at every opportunity to show loyalty on the face of his failures and lacking in Capacity.

“Let the Governor remember that there is a day ahead and waiting for him when he will account for every soul killed or murdered while he held sway as Niger State Governor.”

He also said the governor would account for every naira he received, managed or mismanaged on behalf of the pauperised people of Niger State.