Residents Flee As Army Close Military Camp, Withdraws Troops From Niger State Community

The Nigerian military has shuttered its camp and withdrew its personnel in response to the recent bandit killings of four soldiers and two officers in Allawa village in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. 

According to the Daily Trust, hundreds of people, including women, the elderly, and children, were forced to leave their homes and trek at least 50 kilometers to safe places as a result of the troop withdrawal, which they said surprised them because of the recurrence of attacks in the community and its neighboring communities.

Locals informed reporters that when they awoke on Thursday morning, the military had taken down their tents, ready to depart the area.

A local, who wished to remain anonymous, stated that the military vehicle trod on a landmine on the Allawa-Pandogari route two days prior, resulting in an undisclosed number of deaths.

“I don’t know if you were aware that on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the military personnel on their way to Allawa stepped on an IED and causalities including death were recorded. Some of them are in the hospital. The incident happened on Allawa-pandogari road Tuesday,” he said.

Mallam Yahuza Allawa, another local, reported that scores of people had left their settlements as early as 4 a.m. on foot in search of protection, traveling to Erena, Gwada, Kuta, or Zumba.

“This is a serious issue. Please help us report this issue. We are leaving our communities now and there are insufficient motorcycles and vehicles to take us out as quick as possible. We are afraid. Maybe if you report it, the government will bring vehicles to evacuate us to safe places. Our belongings are there, we can’t pack them,” he said.

“Wallah, hundreds of us have left our communities already. We cannot take Pandogari Road because it is not safe. So, we are moving to either Erena, Gwada, Kuta or Zumba. And from Allawa to Erena which is the only exit road for us is at least 42km and we are trekking because there are no vehicles to convey us. We have old people among us. Many people left their homes as early as 4am before early morning prayers. We cannot wait to be killed by these heartless bandits and Boko Haram.” [CONTINUE READING HERE]