Residents of several communities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State have begun fleeing their homes over fears of renewed attacks after terrorists reportedly issued fresh threats following last Saturday’s massacre that claimed more than 40 lives.
Findings indicated that panic spread across border communities linking Agwara, Borgu and parts of Kebbi State after the assailants allegedly warned that the killings would continue.
Some villagers alleged that soldiers deployed to the affected areas withdrew shortly after their arrival, leaving communities without any visible security presence.
Residents of Kwana, the last village in Agwara LGA, and Tungan Salama near Papiri in Borgu LGA said they had received credible intelligence that the terrorists were planning another strike.
Kasuwan Daji, a border community between Agwara and Borgu LGAs, was the epicentre of Saturday’s attack. The village, popular for its weekly Wednesday market, was reportedly razed after the assailants tied the hands of their victims and killed 42 men, setting houses and market stalls on fire.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, appealed to the Federal and state governments to urgently deploy a strong military presence to the area.
“Without security there will be a massive and on-going loss of life and permanent displacement of large numbers of people.
“It is clear that pending the elimination of the terrorists and dismantling of their hideouts in Kainji Game Reserve, there is an immediate need for a large and well-equipped military task force in the area capable of and empowered to pursue, engage and eliminate these terrorists whenever they come out of the Game Reserve again for further attacks,” he said.
Confirming the situation, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kabirat, said parishioners and priests were relocating due to fear of fresh attacks.
“As I am talking to you, our parishioners and priests are leaving for fear of possible attacks. The security personnel that came after the incident cannot be found, there are no signs of help for the people. These terrorists are having a field day and our people are moving from that axis for fear of either being killed or kidnapped,” he said.
Kabirat, while giving background to the attacks, said that on December 28, 2025, heavily armed terrorists riding on about 30 motorcycles, with two persons on each, stormed the area.
“The victims are both Christians and Muslims; they also kidnapped an unknown number of women and children. They set the place on fire. It was so intense that the smoke could be seen 15 kilometres away at Papiri,” he said.
He added that the attackers reportedly left their hideout in the Borgu Game Reserve and travelled through Kanu Hills and the villages of Sokonbora, Bako-Mission and Shafaci.
“They crossed into Kebbi State, north of Shafaci, and proceeded to the village of Kaiwa, where they killed five people and set fire to houses and grain stores. They then moved on to Gebe, where they killed two more people.
Efforts to reach the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, were unsuccessful as calls and a WhatsApp message were not returned.
However, the Niger State Commissioner for Information, Obed Nana, confirmed the attacks and appealed to residents to remain calm.
“The terrorists had also invaded some communities on their way through parts of Rijau and Agwara LGAs, killing many innocent people.
“They also attacked a police outpost in Shafacci village and a Catholic Missionary School in Sukumbara village, where they carted away two motorcycles and destroyed some school property, but there were no casualties there.