Residents of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State say they can now heave some sigh of relief after signing a peace deal with Boko Haram terrorists.

FIJ had reported how about 65 communities in Shiroro sealed a peace deal with the terrorists after several attacks that led to the lost of lives, property and displacement of residents.

Communities in Gurmana, Manta, Bassa and Kukoki distrists in Shiroro area of the state had negotiated the peace deal with the terrorists requiring them to pay certain amounts of money in each community.

Justifying why they had to negotiate with the armed group, residents said they are left with no other choice because they are mostly peasant farmers.

“Our people are mostly peasant farmers,” one resident explained. “The raining season is setting in and it’s time for many of them to start cultivating because that’s what they depend upon.”

Niger is one of the states in Nigeria known for ravaging banditry, kidnapping and recently Boko Haram terrorism.

About 42 communities in Niger State have fallen under Boko Haram control, according to Mohammed Sani Musa, the senator representing Niger East in the National Assembly.

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“I can authoritatively confirm that the Boko Haram terrorists have mounted their flags in many of the villages they have captured such as Kaure, Alawa and Magami,” he said Speaking on the floor of the Senate on while moving a motion on the killings in Shiroro.

However, following the peace deal with the terrorists, residents of the communities confirmed to FIJ that there hasn’t been an attack in recent weeks.

“There has been no major attack since they signed for ceasefire with the terrorists,” said Yusuf Sani, co-convener of Concerned Shiroro Youth.

“Residents are currently reuniting in the communities; they are now coming back from IDP camps.”

Sani said although he did not subscribe to the ideaof signing a peace deal with terrorists, the ceasefire seems to be temporarily working.

Asked whether the peace deal was a lasting solution to the problem, he said: “No. Those guys are not to be trusted; they can come at any time to make fresh demands.”