Local government chairmen from Rafi, Shiroro, and Munya in Niger State are calling on the state government to allocate a significant portion of the 2025 budget to address insecurity in their areas.
The three councils are heavily impacted by frequent attacks, resulting in loss of life, injuries, property damage, and displacement.
The chairmen made their appeal during a one-day stakeholders’ meeting on the 2023 budget held at Paiko Town Hall in Paikoro. Aminu Najume, Chairman of Munya, urged that 90 percent of the 2025 budget for his area be dedicated to tackling insecurity.
“If the government truly wants to address our concerns, it should allocate 90 percent of the 2025 budget for Shiroro to tackle insecurity,” Najume said.
He emphasized that improving security is crucial for enabling residents, who are predominantly farmers, to return to farming and produce food effectively.
Najume also called for the establishment of permanent Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps in Shiroro and Munya to ensure dignified living conditions for displaced individuals.
“We need permanent IDP camps so that in the event of an attack, our schools won’t be used as shelters, and people can live with dignity,” he added.
Shiroro Chairman Akilu Ishaku Kuta stated that his area’s budgetary needs are solely focused on addressing insecurity.
“We want all resources allocated to Shiroro to address insecurity because it’s our primary issue,” Kuta said.
He noted that insecurity has severely impacted local markets and revenue generation, as farmers are unable to bring goods to market.
Aliyu Usman Katako, Chairman of Rafi, echoed the concern, emphasizing that insecurity undermines any development plans.
“Our major challenge is insecurity, which makes any development plans a mirage without peace,” Katako said. He called on both state and federal governments to address the ongoing security issues in Rafi.
Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barrister Maurice Magaji, highlighted the importance of stakeholder meetings to align government efforts with the people’s needs.
“This meeting helps us understand what the people need and how the 2025 budget can address these needs,” Magaji said.
He also supported efforts to complete a major road project in Kaduna State, which has been stalled due to bandit activity, arguing that road rehabilitation could alleviate some security issues.
Mustapha Ndajiwo, Commissioner of Planning, acknowledged that insecurity remains a significant challenge but emphasized that the government’s approach includes both kinetic and non-kinetic strategies.
“Addressing insecurity involves not only deploying security personnel but also improving socio-economic conditions, which can reduce motivations for criminal activities,” Ndajiwo explained.
He noted that the government is working to balance demands with available resources and prioritize citizen input in the annual budget planning process.
