Niger Market Massacre: APC Chieftain, Vatsa, Calls for Military Base in Agwara, Urges Government to Do More to Protect Nigerians
From Yahaya Zakka Minna
As the people of Agwara and Borgu local government areas in Niger State continue to cope with last Saturday’s market massacre of innocent traders at Kasunwa Deji, following violent attacks by terrorists, former Commissioner for Information, Culture, and Tourism and APC Chieftain in Niger State, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, has strongly urged for the immediate establishment of a military base and the deployment of marine police to Agwara to reduce ongoing terrorist attacks.
In a statement issued in Minna on Tuesday titled “Urgent Call for the Establishment of Naval Base and Deployment of Marine Police in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State,” Vatsa emphasized that the persistent security challenges facing Niger and neighboring states require urgent, decisive, and strategic intervention by the federal government.
He stated that the current security situation exceeds what the state government can manage alone, asserting that federal assistance is crucial in addressing these issues.
Vatsa also highlighted that after repeated incidents of banditry, kidnapping, and violent assaults—especially the tragic event at St. Mary Catholic Missionary School in Papiri—it is imperative for the federal government to establish a Nigerian military base in Agwara and deploy marine police units to the region.
Highlighting Agwara’s strategic location, the former APC publicity secretary noted that “Agwara local government occupies a critical strategic position along the River Niger, serving as a natural corridor between Niger, Kwara, and Kebbi states.”
He explained that intelligence and security reports consistently show that criminal groups and bandits exploit the River Niger as an escape and transit route, crossing freely after attacking communities, schools, and travelers.
He expressed concern that the River Niger has increasingly become a security blind spot, allowing armed groups to evade land-based security operations. He added, “this vulnerability was glaringly exposed during the insecurity around Papiri community, where attackers leveraged riverine routes to perpetrate violence and retreat beyond the immediate reach of conventional security forces.”
Vatsa argued that establishing a military base there would secure the River Niger corridor and deny terrorists and other criminal groups access to water routes used for escape and logistics.
He emphasized that such a base would provide rapid response capabilities for incidents in riverine communities in Niger, neighboring Kebbi and Kwara states, and beyond.
“This will also protect critical institutions, including schools, markets, farming communities, and transportation routes along the River,” he said.
Vatsa warned that insecurity along the River Niger not only threatens lives but also undermines agriculture, interstate commerce, education, and national unity.
“A secured Riverine community will restore confidence, attract investors and economic activities, and reaffirm the federal government’s commitment to protecting every Nigerian, regardless of geopolitical boundaries,” he concluded.
