The Northern States Governors’ Forum (NSGF) has issued a forceful condemnation of a devastating terrorist attack on a rural market in Niger State, while simultaneously mourning a separate, catastrophic boat accident in Yobe State. These twin tragedies, occurring within days of each other, underscore the multifaceted security and safety challenges confronting the region.
Condemnation of the Niger Market Massacre
The NSGF, chaired by Gombe State Governor Inuwa Yahaya, described the assault on the Kasuwan Daji Market in Borgu LGA as “a cruel assault on innocent citizens” and “a grave threat to peace, livelihoods and communal harmony.” According to reports, suspected terrorists killed at least 30 traders, abducted many others, and set the market ablaze.
Governor Yahaya, in a statement released by his media aide Ismaila Uba-Misilli, expressed being “profoundly shocked and outraged.” He emphasized the profound economic and social impact of such violence, noting that attacks on traders and market women are “morally reprehensible” and strike directly at the heart of regional economic life. Rural markets like Kasuwan Daji are not just commercial hubs but vital nodes of social cohesion and subsistence for entire communities. Their targeting represents a strategy to inflict maximum psychological and economic damage, eroding trust and destabilizing rural life.
The Forum urged security agencies to “intensify efforts to track down and apprehend the perpetrators” and ensure they face justice. Beyond the immediate response, Governor Yahaya assured of the Forum’s “continued collaboration with federal and security agencies to strengthen security architecture across the North.” This points to the ongoing, complex challenge of securing vast, often remote territories against highly mobile non-state armed groups.
Mourning the Yobe River Tragedy
In a separate but equally grievous incident, the NSGF mourned the loss of at least 25 lives in a boat mishap on the Yobe River in Garbi town, Nguru LGA. An additional 14 passengers remain missing, highlighting the scale of the disaster.
Governor Yahaya described this tragedy as “a painful reminder of the urgent need to prioritise safety in all forms of transportation.” Riverine transport is a critical lifeline for many northern communities, especially during the rainy season when road networks are compromised. However, it is often plagued by overcrowding, inadequate safety equipment (like life jackets), and the use of poorly maintained vessels. This accident brings into sharp focus the need for enforced regulations, public awareness campaigns on water safety, and improved emergency response capabilities along major waterways.
The Forum called on authorities to intensify search and rescue operations, provide comprehensive medical care for survivors, and rigorously enforce safety regulations to prevent future occurrences.
A Call for Unity and Resilience
Facing this dual blow of violence and accident, the NSGF appealed to the people of the region to “remain united, calm and compassionate.” The statement reaffirmed the Forum’s commitment to a dual mandate: tackling the scourge of insecurity and strengthening emergency response systems for both man-made and natural disasters.
These incidents, though different in origin, collectively test the resilience of northern Nigeria. The market attack reveals the persistent threat of terrorism and banditry to human security and economic stability. The boat tragedy exposes infrastructural deficits and regulatory gaps in public safety. The NSGF’s simultaneous response to both underscores the broad and interconnected portfolio of challenges that regional leadership must navigate to safeguard the welfare of its citizens.
Source: NAN
