Bandits set fire to Niger primary school after collecting N10m from locals

Suspected bandits have burnt down a public primary school in Dekara, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. This happened even after they allegedly collected a N10 million protection fee from the communities.

Residents told PREMIUM TIMES that the attackers set fire to the Central Primary School, Dekara, during a raid on Wednesday. This forced many people to flee the town.

One resident, who asked to stay anonymous for security reasons, said the gunmen came from the Kainji Lake National Park to launch the attack.

The resident explained that communities in the Dekara District recently paid the N10 million that the bandits demanded to spare their area. "The bandits imposed a N10 million levy on our communities. We paid because they threatened to attack us if we failed to comply. They assured us that once the money was paid, we would be allowed to remain peacefully in our communities," the resident said.

Despite the payment, the attackers still invaded the district headquarters, set the Central Primary School on fire, and forced residents to leave their homes. Residents mentioned that several communities in Borgu and nearby Agwara Local Government Area have faced repeated attacks in recent weeks, leading many villages to become deserted.

Most of the displaced residents have sought refuge in safer communities and informal internally displaced persons (IDP) camps. They have left behind their homes, farms, and other means of making a living.

The recent attacks highlight the ongoing security problems faced by communities in Niger State. This is especially true in Borgu, Shiroro, Munya, Rafi, Mariga, and parts of Agwara local government areas.

In the past few years, armed groups from forests near the Kainji Lake National Park, the Allawa forest, and other remote areas have repeatedly attacked rural communities. They have killed residents, kidnapped travelers and villagers for ransom, and imposed illegal fees on communities.

These ongoing attacks have displaced thousands of residents, disrupted farming activities, and raised food security concerns in Niger State, which is one of Nigeria's major agricultural producers.