Emir Begs For Military Troops After Abduction Of Traditional Ruler In Niger State

The Emir of Borgu in Niger State, Muhammad Dantoro, has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to order the deployment of military in Borgu Local Government Area following the abduction of the district head of Wawa, Mahmud Ahmed Aliyu, by suspected bandits.

Aliyu, officially known as the ‘Dodo of Wawa’, was reportedly kidnapped from his palace on Saturday night.

He is reportedly the second traditional ruler to be abducted in Niger State in four months.

Emir Dantoro said there was urgent need for Buhari to order deployment of military to around the Borgu forest as insurgents were using it as hideout to carry out their nefarious activities.

“This is an urgent appeal and call for immediate deployment of the military both on the air and ground to root out these insurgents.

“I have been receiving calls from Nigerians far and wide who wanted to confirm if I was safe. Yes, I am safe. I was not the victim but the district head of Wawa community in my kingdom.

“Also, the district head of Dekara was kidnapped about four months ago and has not been found.

“I am saddened over the development and request that the military respond and comb the forest of the Kainji Lake National Park and rescue the district heads and other victims held in the heart of the large expanse of the pristine forest ecosystem.

“This should be done before they move across the borders into Benin Republic,” he said.

The Borgu Game Reserve is a section of the Kainji National Park in the Borgu LGA.

The forest, which spills into Baruten LGA in Kwara State, shares a boarder with the Kainji Lake.