Residents Flee Homes in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State as Terrorists Issue Fresh Threats After Deadly Kasuwan Daji Attack

Life has turned chaotic for residents of several communities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State.

Panic set in after terrorists reportedly issued fresh threats following a deadly attack last Saturday that claimed over 40 lives.

Families are abandoning their homes, seeking safety as fear grips the border villages connecting Agwara, Borgu, and Kebbi State.

Villagers Describe Growing Fear and Lack of Security

Residents told local media that the attackers warned of more killings, sparking widespread panic and displacement.

Some villagers expressed frustration over the absence of security forces, claiming that soldiers deployed to the area left shortly after arriving, leaving communities exposed.

In villages like Kwana in Agwara LGA and Tungan Salama near Papiri in Borgu LGA, locals report receiving credible intelligence that terrorists plan another assault, intensifying the sense of vulnerability.

Kasuwan Daji: Ground Zero of Last Saturday’s Attack

Kasuwan Daji, a border village straddling Agwara and Borgu LGAs, bore the brunt of the Saturday attack.

Known for its bustling Wednesday market, the village was engulfed in flames as attackers reportedly tied up residents, killing 42 men and burning homes and market stalls.

A resident, speaking anonymously, urged immediate government intervention.

He stressed the need for a well-equipped military presence to prevent ongoing loss of life and permanent displacement until terrorists in the Kainji Game Reserve are neutralized.

Church and Community Leaders Sound the Alarm

The Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kabirat, confirmed the escalating fear.

Parishioners and priests are fleeing, leaving communities nearly undefended.

“Security personnel who arrived after the incident have vanished, leaving our people vulnerable.

The terrorists are exploiting this gap, and residents are moving en masse for their safety,” Kabirat said.

He provided context for the attacks: on December 28, 2025, heavily armed terrorists on motorcycles attacked Kasuwan Daji, targeting both Christians and Muslims.

They kidnapped women and children, set houses ablaze, and traveled through multiple villages, leaving destruction in their wake.

Terrorists’ Trail of Destruction

Kabirat detailed the assailants’ movements over the following days.

They crossed into Kebbi State, killing additional residents and burning houses and grain stores.

On January 1, 2026, they attacked a police station, destroying documents and spending the night in the bush.

By January 2, the group had destroyed church property in Sokonbora, stolen motorcycles, mobile phones, and cash, and occupied local compounds, consuming residents’ livestock before leaving the area the next day.

Residents Speak Out on the Ongoing Crisis

A local resident, Abuka, described life in constant fear, noting that even recently freed schoolchildren, including his daughter, had to hide in the bush with their families.

Residents of Papiri, Kwana, and Tungan Salama are abandoning homes and properties, as bandits roam unchecked, further traumatizing the communities.

Government and Security Response

Efforts to reach the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, were unsuccessful.

However, the State Commissioner for Information, Obed Nana, confirmed the attacks and urged calm.

“The terrorists also invaded other communities, attacking a police outpost in Shafacci and a Catholic Missionary School in Sukumbara village.

While there were no casualties at these locations, property was destroyed and motorcycles stolen,” he said.

The government is working with federal agencies to prevent further attacks, emphasizing vigilance among residents.

Presidential Action and National Condemnation

President Bola Tinubu personally ordered a manhunt for the perpetrators, instructing top security officials to track down those responsible for the Kasuwan Daji attack.

He warned that anyone aiding or abetting the terrorists would face justice.

Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, representing Kogi Central, condemned the attack as a grim reminder of Nigeria’s worsening security situation.

She expressed condolences to victims’ families, highlighted the economic impact of the attacks, and called for a proactive, intelligence-driven security response to prevent further tragedies.

The Urgent Call for Peace and Security

The recent wave of violence in Niger State has left over 40 dead, many abducted, and communities traumatized.

Leaders and residents alike are calling for decisive action to restore safety and confidence.

With security gaps evident, the message is clear: without immediate and sustained intervention, these rural communities remain at grave risk.

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