At least eighty communities across five local government areas in Niger State have appealed to the Federal Government not to withdraw troops deployed to the communities over fears of attacks from herdsmen.

The communities which cut across Shiroro, Munya, Paikoro, Gurara, Rafin and Chachanga said the withdrawal of the troops may result in renewed attacks on their communities.

Speaking to journalists on Wednesday in Minna, the state capital, one of the community leaders, Alhaji Malam Imam Abdulaziz Usman of Zagzagga community said they will relocate from their communities if the troops were withdrawn.

His words: “We were planning to relocate from our communities when the military arrived; and since they came, we have enjoyed peace and the hoodlums have been chased away.

“But as it is now, we are already planning to leave again because we heard the military is leaving on Thursday. Just four days ago, some of our youths who were mining saw eight trucks of these herdsmen entering from Zamfara State and they are presently in the bush.

“The herdsmen will attack us as a form of revenge on how the military dealt with them. We appreciate the presence of the military. We want to appeal that the planned withdrawal of soldiers should be put on hold and instead, we want permanent security presence in the affected local government areas.”

The senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, David Umaru on his part urged the Federal Government and the military not to be in a haste to withdraw the troops from the communities, especially with the ongoing military operation in the neighbouring Zamfara State.

He said he was raising the alarm now so that the government would be proactive in its actions.