Terrorists have reportedly burnt down five primary schools in Dekara District, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, deepening the education crisis in communities already affected by insecurity.
Naijaonpoint reports that the Principal of Government Day Secondary School, Dekara, Zubairu Salihu, disclosed this during a press conference in New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu Local Government Area.
The briefing was organised by the Borgu Kingdom Youth Development Association to raise alarm over the increasing attacks, abductions and destruction of houses and schools in the area.
Salihu said terrorists returned to Dekara this year and forced the closure of all six primary schools in the district before setting five of them ablaze last month.
He said the latest attacks were part of a sustained assault on education in the area, which began on May 11, 2021, when terrorists invaded Dekara at night, abducted the district head and warned residents against Western education.
“On May 11, 2021, the bandits invaded Dekara at night. They abducted the district head and issued a strong warning against Western education. Since then, the Government Day Secondary School, Dekara, has remained closed.
“This year, they returned and forced the closure of the six primary schools in Dekara District. Just last month, they burnt down five of the six primary schools in the district,” he said.
Salihu said residents, most of whom are farmers, were no longer able to access their farms due to insecurity.
He appealed to the government to prioritise security, saying the people could sustain themselves if they were allowed to return safely to their communities and farmlands.
“We are farmers. The only thing we need from the government is security. We can feed ourselves if we are able to access our farms. Security is what we need most from the government.
“We have lost several communities, and I don’t think elections can be conducted in most of these communities. We are appealing to the government to provide adequate security so that we can return to our communities,” he added.
Speaking at the press conference, the President of the Borgu Kingdom Youth Development Association, Abdullahi Yahaya Sadauki, described the situation as a humanitarian emergency.
He said more than seven communities and villages had been razed by terrorists in Borgu Local Government Area.
According to him, the affected communities include Konkoso, Kasuwan Daji, Pissa, Gangale, Woro, Tungan Makeri, Old Gangale, Boiya, Bakinba and Wawa.
Sadauki said many residents had been forced to flee their homes in search of safety, while survival had become a daily struggle for displaced families.
“Families have been displaced, farmlands abandoned, livestock rustled, and businesses destroyed. Healthcare services have been disrupted, leaving many residents without any source of livelihood.
“Children are also paying the price. Schools outside New Bussa have remained closed since January 2026 because of insecurity, while healthcare services in many affected communities have completely collapsed,” he said.
Sadauki said the continued attacks had left residents living in fear and called on the Federal Government and the Niger State Government to urgently restore security in the area.
He also lamented the destruction of the only bridge linking New Bussa to several surrounding communities, saying it had remained unrepaired for more than three months and had made movement and emergency response more difficult.
The youth leader called for the establishment of additional Forward Operating Bases in vulnerable communities, improved intelligence gathering, stronger support for local vigilante groups and immediate humanitarian assistance for displaced persons.
He also appealed for the rescue of residents still being held captive by terrorists, insisting that the people of Borgu deserved the same protection and security guaranteed to every Nigerian.
