Insecurity drives Borgu residents across Benin border, disrupts farming, trade

Residents of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State are increasingly abandoning their communities and crossing into the neighbouring Republic of Benin as persistent attacks, kidnappings and killings heighten fears across the border region.

The development, which signals a deepening humanitarian and economic crisis in one of Niger State’s strategic border areas, was disclosed by Murtala Haliru Dantoro, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate for the Borgu/Agwara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

Dantoro, who raised the alarm at a press conference, said residents across the Borgu Emirate were increasingly living under siege, with insecurity restricting farming, movement and other economic activities.

He called on the Federal Government to urgently establish a permanent and sustained security presence in the area, warning that residents should not have to wait until after attacks occur before receiving protection.

“We are not asking to be rescued after the fact. We are asking for security before the fact,” he said.

According to him, the worsening security situation was forcing some residents to cross into Benin Republic in search of safety, while others were abandoning their homes and farms.

The development follows a series of deadly attacks in communities around Borgu, including a major attack in August in which gunmen reportedly abducted worshippers in the area.

It was gathered that at least 2,000 people fled into neighbouring Benin Republic following the attack.

The reported displacement has raised concerns over the economic consequences for the largely agrarian communities, where residents depend heavily on farming, local commerce and cross-border trade for their livelihoods.

Dantoro said restrictions on movement and insecurity had made it increasingly difficult for residents to access their farms and conduct their businesses, potentially worsening food insecurity and weakening local economic activity.

He also drew attention to the destruction of a major bridge linking Borgu with the Republic of Benin, Kebbi and Sokoto States, describing the infrastructure as a critical economic lifeline whose loss had further disrupted movement and trade.

The attacks have also contributed to growing fears among residents about returning to affected communities, particularly where security coverage remains inadequate.

Dantoro appealed to the Federal and Niger State governments to treat the situation as an urgent humanitarian and national security matter, while calling on humanitarian organisations to provide shelter, food, healthcare and other assistance to displaced residents, particularly women and children.

He also urged the government to adopt preventive security measures rather than relying primarily on responses after attacks have occurred.

The ADC candidate said the people of Borgu were not seeking charity but the protection of their lives and livelihoods, stressing that residents should be able to live, farm, trade and travel without fear.

For a region whose economy depends heavily on agriculture and movement of goods and people across the Nigeria-Benin corridor, continued displacement could have consequences beyond security, potentially reducing agricultural output, disrupting markets and weakening cross-border commerce.

The flight of residents across an international border also underscores the extent to which insecurity is beginning to reshape economic activity in Nigeria’s border communities, as people move not only for immediate safety but also in search of places where they can continue to work and sustain their families.