How Gunmen Burnt Down Schools After Warning Us to Shut Down - Principal

The Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Dekara, in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, Zubairu Salihu, has narrated how terrorists forced the closure of schools in his community after issuing threats against Western education.

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Salihu disclosed this during a press conference held in New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu LGA, where residents raised concerns over the worsening security situation in the area.

The briefing, organised by the Borgu Kingdom Youth Development Association, focused on the increasing wave of attacks, kidnappings and destruction of communities by terrorists.

According to the principal, armed men invaded Dekara on May 11, 2021, abducted the district head and ordered residents to shut down schools, warning against Western education.

He said the directive forced the closure of Government Day Secondary School, Dekara, where he served as principal, adding that education in the community has remained crippled since then.

Salihu further alleged that the terrorists returned this year and ordered the closure of six primary schools in the district, with five of the schools later set ablaze last month.

He said the people, who depend largely on farming for survival, now struggle to access their farmlands because of insecurity.

"The only thing we are asking from government is adequate security. If our farms are safe, we can cater for ourselves," he said.

Salihu also expressed fears that elections might not be feasible in several affected communities because many residents had fled their homes following persistent attacks.

Speaking at the briefing, President of the Borgu Kingdom Youth Development Association, Abdullahi Yahaya Sadauki, described the security crisis as a humanitarian emergency.

He claimed that more than seven communities and villages in Borgu had been completely destroyed by terrorists, forcing thousands of residents to abandon their homes.

Among the affected communities, he listed Konkoso, Kasuwan Daji, Pissa, Gangale, Woro, Tungan Makeri, Old Gangale, Boiya, Bakinba and Wawa.

Sadauki said displaced families had lost their means of livelihood, while farmlands had been deserted, livestock stolen and businesses destroyed.

He added that the crisis had also severely disrupted healthcare delivery and education, noting that schools outside New Bussa had remained closed since January 2026 due to insecurity.

The youth leader appealed to the Federal Government and the Niger State Government to urgently strengthen security across the affected communities.

He also lamented that the only bridge linking New Bussa to several neighbouring communities had remained damaged for over three months after it was bombed, hampering movement and emergency response efforts.

Sadauki called for the establishment of additional Forward Operating Bases in vulnerable areas, improved intelligence gathering, stronger support for local vigilante groups and immediate humanitarian assistance for displaced residents.

He further urged the authorities to intensify efforts to secure the release of residents still being held captive by terrorists, insisting that the people of Borgu deserve adequate protection and the full benefits of government security.