Monarch denies media reports of kidnap, seeks troops deployment to Borgu

Abiodun OBA

The Emir of Borgu, Niger State, Muhammad Dantoro, has denied media reports, of being kidnapped by insurgents, adding that he was safe and healthy.

The monarch however, called on President Muhammadu Buhari to order the deployment of troops to Borgu, to check the activities of kidnappers and criminal elements in the area.

“I have been receiving calls from Nigerians far and wide who wanted to confirm if I was safe. Yes, I am safe. I was not the victim but the district head of the Wawa community in my kingdom, the Dodo of Wawa, Dr Mahmoud Ahmed in Borgu.

“Also, the district head of Dekara was kidnapped about four months ago and has not been found.

“I am saddened over the development and request that the military responds and comb the forest of the Kainji Lake National Park and rescue the district heads and other victims held in the heart of the large expanse of the pristine forest ecosystem.

“This should be done before they move across the borders into the Benin Republic,” he said.

“This is an urgent appeal and call for immediate deployment of the military both on the air and ground to root out these insurgents,” he said. 

The Kainji National Park was established in 1978 and is divided into three distinct sectors: the Zuguma Game Reserve, the Borgu Game Reserve and the Kainji Lake.

Since 2005, the protected area has been considered a Lion Conservation Unit.

The Borgu Game Reserve is mostly made up of Savanna forest and has an area of 3,929 km2 (1,517 sq mi).