Residents of several border communities in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State have accused the Nigerian Army personnel deployed to the region of extortion, negligence, and failing to confront the growing threat of terrorism in the area.
Multiple residents who spoke with SaharaReporters lamented that while armed groups continue to terrorise their villages, soldiers stationed there appear more interested in making money through illegal checkpoints than protecting lives.
“They fired so many times, they appear to have presence in most of our communities now,” one community source told SaharaReporters, referring to the latest attack. “Communities like Nanoru, Tumbuyan, and Gwanara are no longer safe. My advice for my people is to remain vigilant henceforth.”
In a shocking twist, locals are now calling for the withdrawal of military forces from their area, claiming the soldiers have become more of a liability than a line of defence.
“We urge that the soldiers deployed to our communities for protection be returned to their barracks,” the source continued.
“Let the government provide our local vigilante with sufficient firearms to empower them, because the soldiers are just here doing nothing.”
A custom personnel who is also a resident of one of the affected communities told SaharaReporters that even though he wears the uniform, he is deeply disturbed by the conduct of the soldiers stationed in the area.
“What is happening is that the soldiers deployed to our communities are not fulfilling their duties properly,” he said. “The group that attacked last night wore soldier uniforms, and there were soldiers at every checkpoint they passed. Some locals even reported seeing these groups dressed in military uniforms travelling back to Ilorin after the attack, mistakenly believing they were real soldiers.”
He questioned how the supposed soldiers on duty could not identify impostors wearing their uniforms.
“My concern is, how come the soldiers deployed could not recognise them?” he asked.
The soldier also recounted his personal experience with extortion by his fellow troops.
“If you visit Chikanda, you will notice that soldiers are present everywhere, stopping innocent farmers and extorting money from them. They will never go after these terrorists. They will not go to Koronji, the area they were deployed to secure.”
“Every night, you will find them parked in the premises of a secondary school in Chikanda with their Hilux van, stopping individuals and asking them to open their car boots. That is not their job. They are doing this to extort people and make money for themselves. They are not fighting the terrorists; they were deployed to our communities to fight. It is like they are here to make money.”
He revealed that he was also targeted for extortion, but pushed back.
“I was stopped for the same reasons. They wanted to extort me too. I informed them that I am also a uniformed officer. I confronted them about their improper behaviour.”
He said the situation would be better if the soldiers were removed entirely.
“It is even better if these soldiers are not here, because without them, we would have been more vigilant as community people. But their presence is not helping us. They are only extorting us.”
“The government should train our local vigilantes and give them sufficient firearms. They will perform better than these soldiers.”
The military insider added that no soldiers are currently deployed to Koronji, a known hideout of the terrorist group operating in the area.
“Currently, as I am speaking to you, in Koronji, the hideout of the terrorists, no soldiers are deployed there. They are only in the main town extorting money from farmers and motorists. Instead, it is only the local vigilantes providing protection.”
Source: Sahara Reporters