LG Chairman raises alarm over 500 communities captured  by Boko Haram in Shiroro, Niger  

 
A Council Chairman, Suleiman Chukuba, at the weekend lamented that more than  500 communities have been captured by Boko Haram terrorists in eight wards of Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State.

The LG chairman disclosed that the terrorists also move towards recruiting and incorporating the locals into terrorism activities, compelling some residents of the communities to enlist as Boko Haram terrorists.

Suleiman Chukuba identified that the captured territories in Nierg State to include  Manta, Gurmana, Bassa-Kokki, Allawa, Kurebe, Kushaka, Kwati, Chukuba and Galadima Kogo.
The chairman further raised alarm  that the Boko Haram terrorists induce the locals to be armed to fight the government.

According to Chukuba, “They incorporate the people of those communities by telling them they have arms and money to give them so they can assist them in fighting the government.”

The LG chairman stated that the Boko Haram terrorists reiterated their opposition and rejection of conventional primary and secondary schools, insisting on their preference for Islamic education against Western education.

Suleiman Chukuba had highlighted: “Shiroro Local Government has an uncountable number of Boko Haram.

“I have the proof being that I am the Executive Chairman, the Chief Security Officer of the local government.

“When they go to the various communities, what they tell them is that ‘We don’t want primary, secondary schools. We only want Islamiyya schools.’”

The council chairman demanded the intervention of the Federal Government for deployment of  more security personnel to Shiroro, decrying that the Boko Haram terrorists have made Shiroro their home.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State had about six months ago, cried out that Boko Haram terrorists had captured territories in the state and were hoisting their flag in Kaure village, Shiroro Local Government Area. The governor had warned that the terrorists could attack Abuja from their bases in Niger State, considering the proximity of the state to the FCT. Few months later, schools in Bwari and the environs in the FCT, were shut and students directed to go home over fear of Boko Haram invasion and kidnapping of the school children.