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Inside Katsina Communities Where Residents Spend Day In Nigeria, Night In Niger Republic

Published

6 years ago

April 17, 2021

Residents of border communities in Nigeria living at the mercy of bandits and kidnappers are left with no other option than to cross over to safer villages in Niger Republic where they pass the night and come back home the next morning to continue with their businesses.

States and national boundaries do not necessarily differentiate the people because in most cases, inhabitants of communities along these boundaries share common beliefs, customs and culture. These boundaries are therefore virtual demarcations for administrative convenience, and this is true in most border communities between Nigeria and Republic of Niger.

However, the problem of insecurity has created a stark contrast between some border communities in Katsina State of Nigeria on one hand, and communities in Niger Republic on the other hand.

A visit to Hirji community, a settlement in Niger Republic, just hundreds of metres away from Magama town in Jibia Local Government Area of Katsina State, Nigeria, revealed how one people live in different security situations and live different social lives.

Life in Hirji community

Hirji is a small settlement in Niger Republic, just some metres away from Magama town on the Nigerian border. The security and social life of Hirji have a striking contrast from what obtains in villages on this side of the border.

When our reporter visited the village, it was lively with trading and activities of some commercial sex workers and patrons as well as ‘hot drink’ customers.

Others were traders who sell roasted meat (suya), tea and small kiosks that sell assorted consumables.

One of the residents of Hirji who identified himself as Yussouf, said, “This is how we live. It will remain lively like this until around 2 am, when almost everybody will retire to their bed. Many young men and women from Nigeria cross over to pass the night here, but mostly for jollification.”

There was light, but a resident told Daily Trust Saturday that it was from a power generator which supplies power and charges customers on a daily basis.

“It will be on from late evening until around 6 am. Anyone that hooks on to it will pay without any problem. You know whatever we do here is based on rules that everybody must follow strictly,” he said.

When asked about the security situation, Yussouf said the village was attacked by bandits sometime last year, and that was why the village was not as lively as it used to be before the attack.

“Before that attack in which the bandits abducted about six people, this place used to be lively all night long. When you come here you meet drummers of all kinds, in different groups, playing while some are singing and dancing.

“There were rumours then that a lot of the bandits used to cross over here to drink bear and womanise, until a time when some of them were arrested by the Nigerien security forces. It was as a result of that incident that the bandits attacked Hirji, thinking that those who reported them were from the area. And it was since then that most of those singing and dancing activities were stopped,” he said.

An encounter with a tea seller

When our reporter visited Hirji, it was around 10:30 pm, when activities were on their peak. A tea seller who was supposed to be like a guide suddenly turned wild, threatening to report Daily Trust reporter to the security agents over suspected espionage.

“I will report you if you don’t tell me who you are and why you are here. You are a stranger here and you are asking me all sorts of questions about our place. It may be that you are gathering information for the criminals,” he said.

That shows how the Nigerien citizens participate and consider it a civic responsibility to contribute to the security of their land.

Day in Magama night in Faru

It is no longer news that people displaced from their communities due to the problem of insecurity migrate to other places they consider safe. But what is baffling is that a few metres into the Republic of Niger will suffice.

Daily Trust Saturday reports that residents of Zangon Tsauni, Tsamben Tsauni, Tsamben Radi, Karauki, Kukar Nabaushi and

Gurbi villages mostly take shelter at night in Garin Kaura village, Republic of Niger.

Armaya’u Muhammad, a resident of the town, said, “Even last night, not less than 35 women and children slept in my house and the story is the same with many houses where you have at least five people crossing over from Nigerian villages to take shelter here.”

However, despite the fact that security has improved in the affected areas of Katsina State, some residents still feel insecure, and that is why they resolve to cross over to nearby towns in Niger Republic every day to pass nights and return to their places of business in Magama.

A resident of Magama who confided in Daily Trust Saturday confirmed that a number of people have migrated to either Faru or Dan Isa town in Niger Republic.

“When you go to Faru village in Niger, you will be surprised by how much it has expanded within a very short period of time. In the past, there were few houses in the village, but now it has exponentially expanded and majority of the inhabitants are our people who go there at night and return in the morning to conduct their businesses,” he said.

He added that some of them are prominent businessmen in Magama, who have built big houses only to abandon them and migrate to either Faru or Dan Isa town, saying “Dan Isa is bigger and more developed, so some of the prominent business men here have their residence there.”

One of the people, who shuttle between the border towns daily, told our reporter that it was at the peak of insecurity in the area that he migrated to Faru for his safety and he had since found a new home there.

“There was never a time when the bandits attack where we are living and even those few areas where they attacked, the Nigerien security forces responded quickly to repel them. We sleep with our two eyes closed, unlike when we were sleeping here in constant fear of being attacked or kidnapped,” he said.

When asked about his experience and whether the houses they live in in the Republic of Niger were bought or rented, he said some were rented while others have purchased their personal houses, especially those that already have marital ties with the host communities.

The question now remains what is it then that the Nigerien security forces were able to do to contain the problem of banditry, cattle rustling and kidnapping that the Nigerian security forces are not doing? And what role do the Nigerien citizens play to secure their nation that Nigerian citizens could not play?

However, when contacted, the Special Adviser to the governor on security matters, Alhaji Ibrshim Katsina, said anyone claiming to be crossing over to Niger Republic from Magama or Jibia for safety was deceiving himself, because security has tremendously improved in the Jibia axis.

“I am not saying it may not happen; there might be a handful of them who cross over, but that should not be used to generalise the situation here. I think if there is such a report, then it must be the act of mischief makers who can create a scenario to show that there is insecurity where there is none.

“People should be careful with what they are saying, because sometimes, it is what you cause with your tongue that comes to pass. Our people should appreciate the fact that security has improved and Allah said that if we appreciate what he has given us, He would certainly add more for us,” he said.

Source:Daily Trust

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HOW FATE AND TRAVAIL BROUGHT CHRISTIAN EDOSA AGHEDO TO IRELAND

Published

15 hours ago

November 10, 2026

The Gleamer

“A Survivor’s Story of Banditry, Family Tragedy, Displacement and the Search for Safety”

The growing insecurity in Nigeria, particularly the increasing incidents of banditry, armed attacks and killings across different parts of the country, has continued to devastate communities, displace innocent citizens and leave countless families homeless. These persistent attacks have created an atmosphere of fear, uncertainty and insecurity among ordinary Nigerians, particularly those living in vulnerable rural communities.

The activities of armed bandits have left painful and lasting scars on the lives of many innocent people. Families have been destroyed, communities have been deserted, and individuals have been forced to abandon their ancestral homes in search of safety. In many cases, victims have suffered killings, abductions, destruction of property and threats to their lives.

One of the families profoundly affected by this violence was the Aghedo family of Jattu, Auchi, in Edo State, Nigeria.

In a conversation with his cousin, Osaze Unuigbe, who narrated his ordeal, Christian Edosa Aghedo recounted the tragic circumstances that forced him to flee his homeland and eventually seek protection in the Republic of Ireland.

THE TRAGIC ATTACK THAT DESTROYED HIS FAMILY

For Christian Edosa Aghedo, 9 June 2026 remains a date permanently etched in his memory. On that day, armed bandits reportedly attacked his community in Jattu, Auchi, Edo State, unleashing violence that changed his life forever.

During the attack, his father, mother and two other relatives were brutally killed. Christian, who was hiding nearby, witnessed the horrifying events and saw his parents being murdered.

The experience left him devastated, traumatised and emotionally shattered. He described the incident as one of the most painful experiences anyone could endure, explaining that witnessing the brutal deaths of his parents has continued to haunt him.

Speaking about the tragedy, Christian said that the memories of that dreadful day remain fresh in his mind. The loss of his entire immediate family and the circumstances surrounding their deaths have left him living with profound emotional pain, constant fear and insecurity.

FEAR AND THE WARNING THAT FORCED HIM TO FLEE

On 10 June 2026, the day after the attack, Christian reportedly approached a nearby police station to report the incident and seek assistance.

Although the police indicated that they would pursue the perpetrators, Christian’s fear increased when an officer allegedly warned him privately to leave the area and run for his life because the attackers might return to eliminate him.

The warning left him frightened and confused. Having already witnessed the brutal murder of his parents and relatives, he became increasingly convinced that remaining in the community would expose him to further danger.

With no immediate family members left to protect or support him, Christian was confronted with the difficult reality of abandoning the home where he had been born and raised.

In the aftermath of the tragedy, he made arrangements to dispose of his deceased parents’ properties to raise money for his departure from Nigeria.

TWO WEEKS IN AN INTERNALLY DISPLACED PERSONS’ CAMP

On 12 June 2026, Christian relocated to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp in Auchi, Edo State, where he remained for approximately two weeks.

However, finding temporary shelter did not immediately restore his sense of safety. He continued to experience shock, fear and emotional distress, constantly worrying that the bandits could return and attack again.

His stay at the camp was marked by uncertainty and painful memories of the incident that had destroyed his family.

Eventually, after making the necessary arrangements to leave Nigeria, Christian received his visa on 5 July 2026. Five days later, on 10 July 2026, he departed Nigeria for the United Kingdom through Ethiopian Airlines, arriving at Manchester Airport.

A NEW COUNTRY, BUT NO FAMILY OR SUPPORT SYSTEM

Christian arrived in the United Kingdom without relatives, friends or an established support network. Although he had escaped the immediate danger he feared in Nigeria, he found himself facing another difficult chapter of his life.

He had lost his parents and other close relatives, abandoned his ancestral home and left behind the childhood memories associated with the community where he had grown up.

With no stable accommodation or immediate support, his circumstances became increasingly difficult. At different points, he relied on churches and mosques for temporary shelter, sometimes sleeping in their premises because he had nowhere else to go.

Despite the hardships, he remained determined to survive and rebuild his life.

ANOTHER DISTRESSING EXPERIENCE IN THE UNITED KINGDOM

On 16 August 2026, Christian experienced another distressing incident while sleeping in a place where he had been seeking temporary shelter.

According to his account, a group of young men attacked him and stole his international passport and wristwatch.

The incident left him helpless and deeply distressed. While he was crying and struggling to come to terms with what had happened, a woman approached him and asked about his situation.

Christian explained his circumstances as best he could, recounting the tragic loss of his family in Nigeria, his displacement and the difficulties he had encountered since arriving in the United Kingdom.

Touched by his story, the woman and her husband took an interest in his welfare. They subsequently offered him assistance, including food, clothing and shelter.

Their intervention provided him with temporary relief at a time when he was particularly vulnerable and had very limited support.

THE JOURNEY TOWARDS SAFETY IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

On 20 September 2026, the woman’s husband informed Christian about the possibility of seeking international protection in the Republic of Ireland.

Following their discussions, Christian began considering the option of seeking protection in Ireland, hoping to find a safer environment where he could begin rebuilding his life after the devastating experiences he had endured.

By 28 September 2026, he had arrived in the Republic of Ireland, marking another significant chapter in his search for safety and stability.

THE PAIN OF A SURVIVOR AND THE FEAR OF RETURN

Despite being physically away from the community where the tragedy occurred, Christian maintains that the emotional consequences of the attack have continued to affect him.

The brutal deaths of his father, mother and two other relatives remain painful memories that he struggles to overcome. Having witnessed his parents being murdered, he continues to fear that returning to Nigeria could expose him to the same armed bandits who destroyed his family.

He maintains that the insecurity and threats that forced him to abandon his home have not been resolved from his perspective. He fears that the perpetrators could attack again and that he could become their next victim.

For Christian Edosa Aghedo, leaving Nigeria was never simply a decision to seek a better life abroad. It was a desperate response to the loss of his family, the fear of further attacks and the urgent need to preserve his own life.

His story is one of profound personal tragedy, displacement and survival. From witnessing the destruction of his family in Jattu, Auchi, to enduring homelessness and insecurity in the United Kingdom, his experiences have shaped a painful journey that ultimately brought him to the Republic of Ireland in search of protection and a chance to live without fear.

For a man who lost almost everything in one tragic day, the greatest hope is simply to find a place where he can feel safe, recover from his trauma and rebuild his life.

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