Suspected bandit threatens to destroy Niger-Kebbi border communities [VIDEO]

A suspected bandit, identified as Usman, has allegedly threatened communities around Kwanji, extending to Babanna in Borgu and Agwara local government areas of Niger State, as well as border communities in Kebbi State.

The development was contained in a post shared on Wednesday by Bakastine, a conflict reporter covering the North-West region, via his X handle, alongside a video showing the man making the threats.

In the video, Usman called on Fulani residents to leave the affected areas, warning that they would no longer seek help from Miyetti Allah or take their grievances to court.

He also warned that several communities in the area would be destroyed and that residents would suffer the consequences, while urging those who received the video to share it with government authorities and prominent Fulani leaders.

Usman mentioned the governors of Niger and Kebbi states and called on them to be informed about his warning.

He further alleged that previous attempts to seek redress through the courts had failed to deliver justice to Fulani communities, questioning the usefulness of taking their grievances to court.

The man also reportedly warned that residents would not be allowed to farm in the affected area, raising concerns over the potential impact on farming activities and livelihoods.

Bakastine said the threats came amid existing security and communal tensions in parts of Niger State and communities along the Niger-Kebbi border.

The affected areas have experienced security challenges and disputes involving farming and pastoral communities, heightening concerns over the potential for the reported threats to escalate.

The conflict reporter urged Niger and Kebbi states, as well as security agencies, to take the threat seriously, investigate the video and act quickly to prevent it from escalating into violence.