‘Former Governor Babangida Aliyu Shares Strategy Behind Expelling Shekau and Boko Haram from Niger State’

Former Niger State governor, Babangida Aliyu, revealed his role in dispersing notorious Boko Haram leaders, Abubakar Shekau and Abu Qaqa, from the state during the 2023 annual public lecture, awards, and election of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR) on Sunday.

Aliyu emphasized the importance of budgeting and effective planning as crucial solutions to Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges. He recounted a security issue he encountered upon taking office in Niger State, where a group of nine individuals in Mokwa Local Government had grown to 7,000 people by 2007. This group was involved in armed robbery and the abduction of women, essentially forming their own republic.

After conducting a census, Aliyu found that over 60% of the group members were not Nigerian citizens. The original leaders were identified as Shekau and Abu Qaga. With the support of the late President Musa Yar’Adua, Aliyu compensated and provided transportation to disperse them. Notably, the action likely prevented Niger State from becoming a breeding ground for Boko Haram, as these leaders were known to frequent the River Niger Bridge.