In a drastic move to flush out bandits and terrorists using the vast forest reserves as a tactical base, the Niger State Government has issued a formal order to all residents and settlers within the Kainji Lake National Park and surrounding buffer zones to vacate the area within two months.
The directive was made public today, Wednesday, 14 January 2026, following an emergency State Security Council meeting in Minna presided over by Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago.
The government cited the “unprecedented infiltration” of the park by armed groups as the primary driver for the order.
Security reports indicate that bandits have established permanent camps within the park, using it as a launchpad for attacks on Borgu, Agwara, and parts of Kaiama in neighboring Kwara State.
The 60-day window is intended to clear the area of civilians to allow the military to conduct a full-scale “scorched earth” kinetic operation without the risk of collateral damage.
The Governor noted that several “illegal hamlets” have sprung up within the park, some of which are allegedly serving as intelligence hubs and logistics supply points for the bandits.
The government has laid out a strict transition plan for the affected communities:
| Phase | Duration | Action |
| Phase 1: Awareness | Jan 14 – Jan 31 | Traditional rulers to sensitize settlers on the exit routes. |
| Phase 2: Relocation | Feb 1 – March 10 | Voluntary movement of residents to designated “IDP screening camps.” |
| Phase 3: Deadline | March 14, 2026 | Area declared a “Free Fire Zone”; military operation commences. |
Recognizing the hardship this will cause thousands of legitimate farmers and fishermen, Governor Bago promised that the state would not abandon them.
Every person leaving the Kainji Lake area will undergo a mandatory biometric screening to ensure that bandits do not slip into civilian populations.
The state has designated specific areas in Borgu and Magama LGAs for temporary resettlement, with provisions for basic amenities.
The Governor hinted at a compensation package for those with verified titles to farmland, though he emphasized that “illegal occupants” of the National Park would receive no such benefit.
“Kainji Lake National Park is a national asset and a tourist gem, but today it is a den of killers. We cannot wait any longer. We are giving everyone two months to move. After that, we will treat anyone remaining in those forests as a combatant.” – Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago, Jan 14, 2026.
The vacation order is expected to disrupt the fishing industry around the Kainji Dam, which supplies a significant portion of the fish sold in North-Central Nigeria. Security analysts warn that while the move is necessary, it may trigger a short-term humanitarian crisis if the resettlement sites are not properly equipped.
