Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province, ISWAP, have gained control of some settlements in the Shiroro and Borgu forests, which share a border with Benin Republic, according to the Niger government.

Ahmed Matane, Secretary to the State Government, SSG, told reporters this shortly after his office’s budget proposal for 2022 was screened before the State House of Assembly in Minna.

He did say, though, that security agents are working hard to eradicate sects that have taken over several towns in the National Park Service’s woodlands around Babana, which shares a border with Benin Republic.

“The government has taken adequate steps to remove them from those places, and security agents have been conducting many operations in those areas,” he said.

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