By HUSSAINA YAKUBU

Murtala Haliru-Dantoro, son of the late Emir of Borgu, Sen. Haliru Dantoro, Kitoro III, has called on President Bola Tinubu to order the immediate deployment of military forces to Borgu Kingdom.

According to him, this is in order to halt what he described as the escalating insecurity and loss of lives in the area.

Haliru-Dantoro made the call in a press statement on Saturday in Kaduna , urging the Federal Government to treat the Borgu insecurity crisis as a priority national security operation.

He appealed to the president, in his capacity as the Jagaban of Borgu Kingdom, saying the title carries a moral and traditional obligation to protect the people and the emirate.

According to him, more than 42 people had been killed in recent attacks across Borgu communities, including the latest killing of youths in Wawa (Gbere) area of Borgu Local Government Area

“Communities are under siege. The emirate is bleeding. When Borgu falls, the title Jagaban of Borgu becomes meaningless,” he said.

Haliru-Dantoro lamented that insecurity had crippled economic activities in the area, particularly in Babana, a border town with the Republic of Benin, where traders and farmers could no longer transport goods due to fear of attacks.

“Truck drivers now refuse to go to Babana, no matter the amount offered. Businesses are stagnant, farmers cannot access their farms, and children cannot attend school safely,” he said.

He said that in spite of the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Development programmes, insecurity had prevented such initiatives from reaching rural Borgu communities.

“Borgu is a land blessed with agriculture, mineral resources and tourism potential, but none of these can be harnessed under the current climate of fear,” Haliru-Dantoro added.

The son of the late emir also invoked the personal relationship between Tinubu and his late father, saying that promises made to the former traditional ruler should be honoured.

“My father, the late Emir of Borgu, was your close friend. Now that he rests, we ask you to protect his people, preserve his legacy and defend the emirate he loved and served,” he said.

Haliru-Dantoro outlined a comprehensive set of security demands, beginning with the deployment of a special military task force to Borgu Kingdom within, the establishment of permanent military bases in New Bussa, Babana, Dugga and Wawa.

He also called for reinforced border security along Nigeria’s frontiers with Benin and Niger Republics, including sealing of porous routes, deployment of border patrols and intelligence sharing with neighbouring countries.

Other demands included empowering community vigilante groups, establishing intelligence sharing mechanisms among security agencies, rehabilitating roads for rapid troop movement, instituting 24-hour joint patrols and enforcing curfews where necessary.

He further urged direct presidential oversight of the security operation, including the appointment of a Special Security Adviser for Borgu Kingdom and regular security briefings to the president.

Haliru-Dantoro also called for the removal of security Commanders who failed to protect communities and rewards for personnel who demonstrated bravery and effectiveness.

He appealed for sustained military presence in the area for at least five years, backed by a dedicated annual security budget and the establishment of a permanent security coordination centre in New Bussa.

“I respectfully but urgently appeal to Mr president to issue a presidential directive to the Minister of Defence, designating Borgu insecurity as a priority operation requiring immediate and sustained intervention,” he said.

Haliru-Dantoro proposed a seven-day timeline for emergency deployment, 30 days for full implementation of measures and continuous security reviews to restore peace to Borgu Kingdom. (NAN)