Katsina residents flee to Niger Republic over kidnap fears

No fewer than 25 millionaires and some other residents of Katsina State have sought refuge in Niger Republic due to constant fear of attacks from kidnappers and bandits.

According to a report by Daily Trust on Sunday, most of those affected are from Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina, a border community between Nigeria and Niger.

Most of them, the report states, do business and have their social life in Katsina State but cross over to their homes in Maradi or Dan Issa towns in Niger Republic to pass the night because of their belief that the place has better security.

Recall that Katsina State Governor, Aminu Masari lamented in December 2018 that the state had been taken over by kidnappers and other bandits.

The Governor of neighbouring Zamfara, Abdulaziz Yari, also called on President Muhammadu Buhari to declare a state of emergency in the state over incessant killings by bandits.

One of the affected millionaires, who sought anonymity in order not to be the target of kidnappers, said:

“I can tell you about 25 of us are presently living in Niger Republic.

“I, for example, have been there since a botched attack on my resident. This is my fifth year in Niger; I’m there with my 11 children.

“I was renting a house for three million CFA for three years, and decided it will not be wise to continue that way, so I decided to buy my own house, which I’m presently residing in.

“Now I have gotten a resident permit, a national identity card, and all entitlements of my landed property, and my children attend school in Niger.”