Security Concerns Rise in Three States, as Elections approach

Security concerns are still a major issue in three Northern States of Zamfara, Borno and Katsina. In recent weeks, there have been several killings attributed to armed banditry in Zamfara State, causing many Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) to flee from several communities in Tsafe Local Government Area (LGA) of Zamfara State to Kankara and Faskari LGAs in Katsina State. Borno State has also witnessed a series of fresh attacks by suspected Boko Haram terrorists in the past weeks and the Nigerian military has been actively engaged in combat with the terrorist group. There was an attack in Gajiram Community in Nganzai LGA of the State on the 21st of December, 2018, forcing people to leave their homes. The State Governor, Kashim Shettima has called on President Buhari to intervene in the resurgence of attacks that have gripped the State. On the 2nd of January 2019, Governor Aminu Bello Masari of Katsina State described Katsina as being under siege, owing to several attacks by armed robbers, kidnappers and cattle rustlers. The State Government also added that the General elections may not hold in at least eight LGAs of the State, unless the insecurity is addressed. The Katsina State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) disclosed that, as at the latter part of December 2018, over 2,000 Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) had fled Zamfara State to Katsina State for safety. The security situation in these States has given rise to new displacements of persons, raising fears about the likelihood of voting taking place during the elections.

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