Women and residents from Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, Nigeria, have shared disturbing accounts of persistent attacks by armed groups. These attacks have resulted in rape, abduction, murder, and destruction of livelihoods, forcing over 60 communities to flee. The displaced residents, currently taking refuge in Dusai, Kuimo, and Gulbin Boka, have endured hunger, disease, homelessness, and hardship for approximately six months.
Maryam Sabon Wuri, one of the displaced women, revealed that the displacement has lasted six months, with residents unable to return to their homes or farms. She explained that armed men invade their communities, loot belongings, destroy food supplies, seize livestock, and subject women to sexual violence. According to Maryam, the attackers demand sexual intercourse from women, targeting victims regardless of age, including young girls and elderly women.
The displaced residents described how attackers looted their homes, took their money and mobile phones, destroyed food supplies, and seized household properties and livestock. One woman recounted how the attackers took almost everything they owned, including goats and chickens, leaving their families with virtually nothing. The residents also explained that repeated attacks have made farming almost impossible, despite agriculture being their primary source of livelihood.
Maryam Sabon Wuri further stated that whenever residents attempted to return to their farms, the attackers would invade the communities and destroy their crops, including guinea corn and millet. She added that nobody can safely return to the affected communities because anyone who attempts to do so risks being captured by the armed groups. The crisis has left families struggling to feed their children, with many mothers forced to move from one location to another in search of food and shelter.
The displaced residents also recounted tragic incidents involving children who died from snakebites while taking refuge in inadequate accommodation. One woman confirmed that a child was bitten by a snake inside a room where displaced residents were staying and subsequently died. Some residents have also died during the process of fleeing their communities, including women, children, and men, due to difficulties of displacement.
Another displaced woman from Sabon Wuri revealed that the victims have spent weeks without receiving meaningful humanitarian assistance at their temporary location. She explained that although the residents have been displaced for approximately six months, they have only been staying at their current location for 21 days at the time of the interview. The woman disclosed that the residents have resorted to menial jobs to raise money to feed their children.
A male resident, identified as Hassan, described the living conditions of displaced families as extremely difficult, particularly for parents struggling to care for their children. He appealed to the government to prioritize providing food, basic necessities, and adequate security to enable the displaced residents to return home. The displaced residents are seeking urgent assistance to alleviate their suffering.
Key points
- Displaced women from Niger State, Nigeria, report widespread rape, abduction, and murder at the hands of terrorists.
- Over 60 communities have been affected, with many residents forced to flee their homes for over six months.
- The displaced residents are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance, including food, shelter, and medical care.
