Despite the claim that respite has returned to troubled areas of Niger state, a group, the Concerned Shiroro Youths of Niger State, has said that bandits have created a republic in the state.

The Concerned Shiroro Youths also claimed that ?these marauding terrorists now wield so much power that they roam unsecured villages with uncommon gusto and impunity, moving from house to house to carry out their heinous activities.?

In a statement made available to newsmen in Minna yesterday the youths also alleged that the bandits now determine ?who to live and who not to live in their areas of strength and control.?

?They have so far succeeded in creating a republic within a sovereign nation. It can?t be worse than this! ? the youths claimed in the statement jointly signed by Convener of Concerned Shiroro Youths of Niger State Sani Abubakar Yusuf Kokki and the Secretary, Shuaib Awaisu Wana, titled,?The Tragedy Of Abandoned and Forgotten Shiroro Hinterlands: Time To Act By The State Actors.?

They further said in the statement that ?The terrorists have grown increasingly emboldened, going as far as planting bombs and landmines in the villages under their control.?

The group disclosed that the latest incident involved multiple bomb explosions in Bassa community, which tragically claimed the lives of three individuals on their way to their farms, pointing out that it is on record that in less than two weeks, Bassa had experienced explosion of IEDs twice with attendant consequences.

The statement claimed that the situation had been exacerbated by the withdrawal of the Nigerian Army which previously deployed to combat terrorism in the Allawa axis of Shiroro, from the area after losing two officers to IEDs.

They further asserted that many communities in the Allawa axis of the local government have been deserted turning the villagers to IDPs in foreign lands.

They also lamented the ?grave yard silence? of both the federal and Niger state governments on goings on the area before pleading that the military bases in Allawa, Bassa, Kukoki should be restored.

In addition they want the government to give medical attention to those displaced and injured before asking the government to implement ?a robust intervention programme for displaced communities, including the restoration of infrastructure, economic empowerment initiatives, education support, and mental health services for victims of violence?

No official of government was available to comment on the claims by the Concerned Shiroro Youths as at the time of going to press. (THISDAY: Text, Excluding Headline)

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