65 Communities in Niger Sign N20m Peace Deal with Boko Haram

Residents of 65 communities in Niger State have resorted to negotiating and signing a peace deal with Boko Haram to avoid future raids by the insurgents, FIJ can exclusively report.

This development came few days after the terror group displaced over 5,000 villagers from their ancestral homes in Shiroro and Munya local councils.

Abubakar Bello, the Governor of Niger had admitted that Boko Haram had hoisted its flag after taken over many communities in the state.

Although Muhammad Yerima, the Nigerian Army spokesman, said  he was unaware of Boko Haram’s incursion into Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, the police spokesperson in the state, said he could not dispute Governor Bello’s claim about the influx of the terrorist group into the state.

“The executive governor is the chief security officer of the state. Are you expecting the police to dispute or go against the pronouncement of the executive governor?” Abiodun asked a CNN reporter.

However, FIJ has gathered that communities in Gurmana, Manta, Bassa and Kukoki distrists in Shiroro area of the state have negotiated with the terrorists for a peace deal after reaching an agreement to pay certain amounts of money in each community.

The communities have also purchased at least six Honda motorcycles worth N500,000 for the Boko Haram terrorists, to pacify them.

“This is what most of the communities are resorting to. By my records now, communities that have signed the peace deal with the terrorists are more than 40,” said Yusuf Sani, the co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youth, while confirming the incidents to FIJ.

“While some communities have already sealed up deals for ceasefire with the terrorists and are currently reaping ithe benefits, others are on the verge of finalising theirs.

“The affected victims have been forced to find solutions for themselves within since the much-anticipated intervention from government is not forthcoming.”

Sani also said the communities have paid not less than N20 million to sign the peace deal with the terrorists. He added that although, the negotiation was oral, more communities are planning to enroll for the peace deal.

Mary Joel Merje, the Chief Press Secretary to the Niger State government, did not answer multiple calls from FIJ. She also did not respond to our request for comments on the issue.

See the list of the villages below:

(1) BASSA/KUKOKI WARD

1. Wongo
2. Kukoki
3. Masuku
4. Zangoro
5. Gungu
6. Rumache Madalla
7. Rumache Gari
8. Maguga
9. Marenje
10. Malawai
11. Madagwa
12. Kadaga
13. Hana Wanka
14. Durumi
15. Farar Kasa

(2) GURMANA WARD

1. Gurmana
2. Kokki Makaranta
3. Kokki Magami
4. Shekadna
5. Karibo
6. Rango
7. Sarkin Zama
8. Bakin Kogi (Lagbe)
9. Maganda
10. Jabukin Sama
11. Jabukin Kasa
12. Guto
13. Gwaja
14. Sundna
15. Fiyi
16. Unguwan Turakin Kokki
17. Kuchiwi
18. Tsohon Gari
19. Kokki Bodo
20. Palalli
21. Gbakoita
22. Kampani
23. Yelwa
24. Ajata Aboki
25. Birke
26. Jankasa
27. Kasumi
28. Kuyami
29. Siyiko

(3) MANTA WARD

1. Manta
2. Jiko
3. Gungu
4. Magami
5. Gaviya
6. Sabon Gida
7. Jankasa
8. Farin Hula
9. Taidna
10. Beri Kago
11. Beri
12. Gatawi
13. Kini
14. Bmada
15. Bagudu
16. Guto
17. Sunko
18. Gbagawi
19. Marafa
20. Gudumi
21. Gbaga

Source: Fij