Boko Haram has taken over five communities in Rafi and Shiroto Local Government Areas of Niger state.

Secretary to the Niger  State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Matane, disclosed the development in Minna on Monday.

He explained that the insurgents are fully in charge in Hanawanka, Madaka, in Rafi LGA and Kurebe, Gussau, Farina Kuka in Shiroro LGA, forcing the rural dwellers to migrate to safer grounds.

He explained that the terrorists move freely in the affected communities, wielding sophisticated weapons.

Matane said the state has already notified security agencies for proper urgent security measures.

”We have spent over N 2 billion on the security agencies in the ongoing fight against banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the last two years.

”We will continue to accord priority attention to the welfare of security personnel deployed to enable them wipe out all those involved in the illegal acts for peace, progress and political stability.

”We equally appealed to residents to volunteer reliable information on movement of bad characters to the nearest security outfits for security action.

”We have also reached out to traditional and religious leaders as well as stakeholders to mobilize residents to support the effort of the government in the ongoing fight against criminal elements,” he said.