The people of Borgu Local Government Area in Niger State have been left shaken after a recent deadly attack on Kasuwan Daji market.
Murtala Dantoro, a member of the Borgu Royal Family, has voiced his frustration, attributing the tragedy to both the absence of security forces and what he called a “systematic failure” by federal and state authorities.
Speaking on ARISE News, Dantoro painted a worrying picture of vulnerability in the region, pointing out that the sheer size of Borgu and the neglected state of the Kainji Lake National Park have made it an easy target for criminals.
Vast Territory, Minimal Security
“The size of Borgu Local Government is almost the size of the Borgu Kingdom itself, around 13,000 square kilometres,” Dantoro said.
“And here we have Kainji Lake National Park, which has been idle for a long time and isn’t being used effectively.”
He explained that bandits rely on hideouts to operate, and Borgu’s geographical location—with its porous borders to states like Kebbi and Kwara—makes it especially prone to such attacks.
Banditry Migration and “Soft Targets”
Dantoro described the concept of “banditry migration,” where criminals relocate to areas with weak security.
He warned that large parts of Borgu are left largely unprotected, creating what he calls “soft” targets.
“From Babana down to Papiri, there’s basically no security presence.
Bandits have observed this and know they can act without immediate consequences,” he explained.
The royal family member also noted that recent attacks, including the abduction of over 250 students in Papiri, show that these communities remain exposed despite previous incidents.
Systematic Failure of Government
Highlighting the recurring threats, Dantoro blamed government negligence for the ongoing insecurity.
“Insecurity always thrives in isolated communities where little attention is paid.
This is, unfortunately, a systematic failure—both at the federal and state levels,” he said.
He added that the lack of timely security response emboldens attackers, giving them confidence to continue their operations.
Kasuwan Daji Attack: A Preventable Tragedy
Dantoro described the Kasuwan Daji market attack, which occurred on a market day, as entirely preventable.
“It was a soft attack on a very vulnerable location. If proactive measures had been in place, this could have been avoided,” he said.
He criticized the government’s reactive approach, noting that attacks in Papiri and Kasuwan Daji should have prompted stronger preventive action.
Recent Incidents Highlight Rising Threats
According to PUNCH Online, on January 3, armed men suspected to be operating from the Kainji Lake National Park attacked Kasuwan Daji market in Demo village, Kabe District.
The attackers burned the market, killed 30 villagers, abducted many, and looted food and goods.
The report also recalled the November 21, 2025, abduction in Papiri, where over 300 students and teachers were kidnapped from St. Mary’s Private Catholic School.
Gunmen reportedly stormed the dormitories over three hours, taking 315 people, including 303 students and 12 teachers.
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