Some communities in Niger State have reportedly signed a N20m peace deal with members of the Boko Haram terrorist group for the insurgents to avoid their communities.
This is also as some earlier reports claim that the terrorists have imposed taxes on residents of Shiroro local government area of the state.
It will be recalled that a few days ago, Naija News reported that the Niger State Governor himself, Abubakar Sanni Bello cried out that Boko Haram insurgents hoisted their flag in Kaure village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
He made the revelation when he visited the Internally Displaced Peoples (IDP) Camp at the IBB Primary School near the Palace of Emir of Minna.
He also warned that the terrorists are moving closer to the Federal Capital Territory.
He further stated that he reached out to the Federal Government on different occasions but nothing fruitful came out of the process.
Few days after the Governor’s submissions, fresh reports have now emerged claiming some communities in Niger have taken their destinies in their hands and decided to negotiate with the terrorists.
Communities located in Gurmana, Manta, Bassa, and Kukoki districts in the Shiroro area of the state have agreed to pay the terrorist group some money to ensure they are not disturbed.
A report by Punch has it that the communities had paid “not less than N20 million to sign the peace deal with the terrorists.”
The co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youth, Yusuf Sani, was quoted in the report as saying: “This is what most of the communities are resorting to. By my records now, communities that have signed the peace deal with the terrorists are more than 40.
“While some communities have already sealed up deals for a ceasefire with the terrorists and are currently reaping the benefits, others are on the verge of finalizing theirs.”
He said such had also purchased at least six motorcycles worth N500,000 for the terrorists.
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday presided over a security meeting at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.
The meeting had in attendance Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) Boss Mustapha, the President’s Chief of Staff, Prof. Ibrahim Gambari.
Others in attendance include Ministers, the nation’s service chiefs, the acting Inspector-General of Police, and other top security chiefs.
