By Nda Alhaji The Principal of the Government Day Secondary School, Dekara, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Zubairu Salihu, has revealed how terrorists warned his community again Western education and forced him to close down his secondary in May, 2021. Salihu made the revelation at a press conference in New Bussa, the headquarters […]
By Nda Alhaji
The Principal of the Government Day Secondary School, Dekara, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Zubairu Salihu, has revealed how terrorists warned his community again Western education and forced him to close down his secondary in May, 2021.
Salihu made the revelation at a press conference in New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu LGA, this weekend.
The Press Conference was held by the Borgu Kingdom Youth Development Association over the surge of attacks, kidnappings and burning of houses and schools.
According to Salihu, terrorists invaded Dekera on May 11, 2021, kidnapped the District Head and warned all the community to close down their schools.
“Since 2021, we have lost our education. I was the Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Dekara. On May 11, 2021, the bandits invaded Dekera in the night; they went away with the District Head and gave a sound warning about Western education. And since then, the school has been closed down. This year again, they came back and closed down the six primary schools we have in Dekera district. Just last month, they have burnt down five of the six primary schools in Dekera district.
“We are farmers. The only thing we need from government is security. We can feed ourselves if we can access our farms. Security is the thing we need from government. We have lost several communities and I don’t think elections can hold in most of these communities. We are calling on the government to provide us with security and let us return to our communities “, he said.
The Youth President of Borgu Kingdom, Abdullahi Yahaya Sadauki, described the situation as a humanitarian emergency, saying more than seven communities and villages in in Borgu had been razed by terrorists.
“The communities that have been completely burnt down include Konkoso, Kasuwan Daji, Pissa, Gangale, Woro, Tungan Makeri, Old Gangale, Boiya, Bakinba and Wawa, with many residents forced to flee their homes in search of safety”, he said.
According to him, survival has become a daily struggle for the displaced persons.
“Families have been displaced, farmlands abandoned, livestock rustled, and businesses destroyed, healthcare services disrupted leaving many residents without a source of livelihood.
“Children are also paying the price. Schools outside New Bussa have remained closed since January 2026 due to insecurity, while healthcare services in many affected communities have completely collapsed”, he added.
Appealing to the Federal and Niger State governments to take urgent action, he said the continued attacks have left residents living in constant fear..
He also raised concerns over the bombing of the only bridge linking New Bussa to several communities, saying it has remained unrepaired for more than three months, making movement and emergency response even more difficult.
The youth leader called for the establishment of additional Forward Operating Bases in vulnerable communities, improved intelligence gathering, stronger support for local vigilante groups, and immediate humanitarian assistance for displaced residents.
He further appealed for the rescue of those still held captive by terrorists, insisting that the people of Borgu deserve the same protection and security guaranteed to every Nigerian.
