Terrorists have burnt down five primary schools in Dekara District of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, worsening the education crisis in communities ravaged by insecurity.
The principal of Government Day Secondary School, Dekara, Zubairu Salihu, disclosed this while speaking at a press conference in New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu LGA, over the growing wave of attacks, kidnappings and destruction of communities and schools.
The press conference was organised by the Borgu Kingdom Youth Development Association to draw attention to the increasing attacks, abductions and burning 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 attacks were a continuation of an assault on education that 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.
“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 said.
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 communities completely destroyed include Konkoso, Kasuwan Daji, Pissa, Gangale, Woro, Tungan Makeri, Old Gangale, Boiya, Bakinba and Wawa, forcing many residents to flee their homes in search of safety.
He said survival had become a daily struggle for the displaced residents.
“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 constant fear and appealed to the federal and Niger State governments to take urgent steps to restore security.
He also expressed concern over the destruction of the only bridge linking New Bussa to several surrounding communities, saying it has remained unrepaired for more than three months, making 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 deserve the same protection and security guaranteed to every Nigerian.
