Niger State Governor, Rt. Hon. Mohammed Umaru Bago, has directed security agencies to take immediate and decisive action to restore peace in communities affected by recent communal clashes in Rafi Local Government Area.
The Governor, represented by Deputy Governor Comrade Yakubu Garba during an assessment visit to the affected communities, ordered the deployment of security personnel and activation of available security assets to prevent further breakdown of law and order.
According to the Governor, preliminary findings indicate that the conflict between members of the Kamuku and Fulani communities in Tashar Bako originated from a farming dispute that began about two months ago.
As part of measures to end the crisis, Governor Bago directed the Emir of Kagara to establish a Peace and Reconciliation Committee to promote dialogue and lasting peace among the affected communities. He also approved the imposition of a curfew in the affected areas to restore normalcy.
The Governor urged residents to embrace peaceful coexistence and cautioned against actions capable of escalating tensions. He also appealed to social media users to avoid sharing inflammatory or unverified information about the crisis.
Speaking during the visit, the Emir of Kagara, Alhaji Ahmed Garba Gunna, commended the state government and security agencies for their swift response. He called on residents to cooperate with security personnel and warned against politicising the incident, stressing that the conflict should not be viewed as an ethnic dispute.
Governor Bago also visited displaced victims taking refuge at Tegina and Gimi Primary Schools, where he assured them of the government's commitment to their safety and welfare.
The assessment tour included a visit to Tashar Bako, the epicentre of the clash, to evaluate the extent of the damage and determine immediate intervention needs.
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Security