Niger State Governor, Umaru Bago, has directed the immediate constitution of a Peace and Reconciliation Committee following recent communal clashes in Borgu Emirate that claimed several lives and destroyed property.
The Governor announced the decision during a sympathy visit to the Emir of Borgu, Muhammad Haliru Kitoro III, where he met with representatives of the Fulani, Boko, Kambari and Barigawa communities affected by the clashes.
The committee is expected to investigate the root causes of the conflict and recommend measures to prevent future outbreaks of violence.
He described the violence as unfortunate and regrettable, noting that Niger State is already grappling with security challenges and should not be burdened by internal conflicts.
The governor also called on residents to reject tribal bigotry, embrace peaceful coexistence and remain calm, stressing that ethnic divisions pose a major threat to unity and development. He added that sustained efforts by the Federal Government and security agencies have significantly reduced insecurity across the state.
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He appealed to residents to respect one another’s rights, obey the law and work collectively to preserve the peace and unity of the Borgu Emirate and Niger State.
Responding, the Emir of Borgu, Muhammad Haliru Kitoro III, thanked Governor Bago for his prompt intervention and continued commitment to improving security in the emirate.
He acknowledged that the government’s efforts had yielded noticeable progress but stressed the need for sustained collaboration to fully restore peace.
The traditional ruler also cautioned against the spread of fake news and misinformation on social media, warning that such reports often fuel tension and create unnecessary panic within communities.
In separate remarks, the Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security, Abdullahi Sabi, and the member representing Agwara/Borgu Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Jafaru Mohammed, urged residents to live together in peace, tolerance and mutual respect, describing unity as essential for sustainable development.
Similarly, the member representing Borgu Constituency in the Niger State House of Assembly, Abdulrahman Gambo, and the Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Abdullahi Nasir, commended the governor’s intervention and called for sustained dialogue among all affected communities to bring the recurring clashes to an end.
Representatives of the Fulani, Kambari and Boko communities expressed appreciation to the Emir of Borgu for his leadership and thanked Governor Bago for his timely intervention. They also pledged their commitment to the peace process and promised to work together to prevent further violence.
Recent communal clashes involving Fulani, Kambari, Barigawa and Boko communities in parts of the Borgu Emirate have resulted in the loss of lives and destruction of property. The violence is believed to have been triggered by a series of reprisal attacks among the affected groups.
