The Deputy Governor of Niger State, Mr Yakubu Garba, has stated that the relative peace being experienced in Shiroro Local Government Area is a direct result of deliberate investments by the state government in tackling insecurity, disclosing that the administration spends over N600 million monthly on security operations in the area alone. Garba made the disclosure during an interview with newsmen following a condolence visit to Gusoro community over the death of its Ward Head, Alhaji Shugba Adamu.
Garba said the administration of Governor Umaru Bago had committed enormous resources to security, describing it as a critical component of governance. He noted that the figure spent on security in Shiroro LGA exceeds the total monthly wage bill of the council. “Security is an integral part of governance and consumes a lot of resources. What we spend on security is even more than what we pay for human resources and social responsibilities. The entire salary of Shiroro Local Government is not up to N400 million monthly, yet the government spends over N600 million on security in the area,” he said.
From an economic perspective, the N600 million monthly security expenditure represents a significant fiscal commitment for a state government with competing demands across education, healthcare, infrastructure, and social services. For Shiroro LGA, where banditry and kidnapping have historically disrupted farming and commercial activities, the investment reflects a strategic calculation that security is a prerequisite for economic activity. Farmers cannot tend their fields, traders cannot move goods, and children cannot attend school in environments where armed groups operate freely. The deputy governor’s disclosure provides rare insight into the scale of resources required to restore a semblance of normalcy in conflict affected areas.
The deputy governor noted that while some residents may question government efforts, those with knowledge of the situation understand the level of commitment involved in restoring peace. “We may not come out to disclose all we are doing, but the results are evident. The relative peace being enjoyed today is not by accident,” he said. This statement acknowledges the often invisible nature of security work, where successes are measured by the absence of violence rather than visible infrastructure or tangible deliverables. For residents who have endured years of attacks, the return to farming and relative freedom of movement are the most meaningful indicators of progress.
Garba appealed to residents to remain calm and vigilant, urging them to promote peaceful coexistence within their communities. He warned that threats to peace were not limited to bandits in the bush but also included informants and individuals promoting disunity within communities. “It is not only the bandits that are our problem. Even within ourselves, those causing disunity and acting as informants are part of the challenges. We must preach peace and discourage any act that undermines our collective security,” he said. This warning highlights the intelligence dimension of counterinsurgency, where community members who provide information to bandits enable attacks and undermine security forces’ efforts.
The deputy governor commended Governor Bago for his commitment, noting that improved security had enabled residents to return to farming without fear. This is particularly significant for Shiroro, an agrarian local government area where farming is the primary livelihood. When insecurity prevents access to farms, households face food shortages, loss of income, and increased vulnerability. The restoration of farming activities has multiplier effects on food availability, local markets, and the broader economy of the area.
Garba urged the people to continue to support and pray for the Bago led administration, while also cautioning residents against aiding criminal elements. He stressed that no financial inducement was worth the loss of lives. “No amount of money given to informants can be compared to the value of human lives,” he said. This appeal speaks to the complex dynamics of banditry affected communities, where economic desperation can lead some individuals to collaborate with criminals for financial gain, often with devastating consequences for their neighbours.
The deputy governor commiserated with the people of Gusoro over the death of the Ward Head, describing the late traditional leader as a pillar of community development whose contributions to social, economic and traditional institutions would be greatly missed. He noted that Gusoro remained one of the major towns in Shiroro LGA, known for producing educated and accomplished individuals. Garba called on youths in the area to resist being used by politicians to create division, urging them to prioritise family and community ties over political interests.
The security situation in Shiroro has been a microcosm of the broader challenges facing Niger State and the wider North Central region. Banditry, kidnapping for ransom, and farmer herder conflicts have displaced thousands and disrupted economic activity. The state government’s willingness to allocate substantial monthly resources to security, even as local governments struggle with wage bills, reflects a prioritisation of safety as the foundation for all other development efforts. The relative peace now being experienced, while fragile, provides a platform for recovery and rebuilding. However, sustaining these gains will require continued investment, community cooperation, and ultimately, addressing the underlying drivers of conflict, including poverty, land use disputes, and the proliferation of small arms.
