Residents of several communities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State have begun fleeing their homes amid rising fears of renewed terrorist attacks, following fresh threats reportedly issued by the assailants behind last Saturday’s deadly assault that claimed the lives of more than 40 people.
The threats, which circulated through word-of-mouth and community networks, have sparked widespread panic across villages located along the border corridors linking Agwara, Borgu, and parts of Kebbi State, forcing families to abandon their homes and seek safety in neighbouring towns and forested areas.
Local residents said the attackers warned that the killings would continue, raising alarm across communities already traumatised by the brutal massacre. According to villagers, the fear has been worsened by the absence of sustained security presence, as troops reportedly deployed after the attack withdrew shortly after their arrival.
Communities such as Kwana, the last major village in Agwara LGA, Tungan Salama near Papiri in Borgu LGA, and Kasuwan Daji, the epicentre of the attack, are among those most affected. Villagers in these areas said they received credible information indicating that the terrorists were regrouping and planning another round of violence.
Kasuwan Daji, a well-known border settlement and commercial hub famed for its weekly Wednesday market, bore the brunt of the assault. During the attack, the assailants allegedly tied up their victims before killing at least 42 men, after which they set houses, shops, and market stalls ablaze. The once-busy community was left in ruins, with scorched buildings and deserted streets replacing what had been a thriving local economy.
A resident of the area, who requested anonymity for security reasons, described the situation as dire and appealed to both the federal and state governments for immediate intervention.
“Without security, there will be a massive and continuous loss of life, and entire communities will be permanently displaced,” the resident said. “There is an urgent need for a strong, well-equipped military task force that can actively pursue and eliminate these terrorists, especially those operating from hideouts within the Kainji Game Reserve.”
The resident stressed that only a sustained and proactive security operation could restore confidence and prevent further bloodshed in the area.
The worsening situation was also confirmed by religious leaders in the affected region. The Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kabirat, disclosed that parishioners and clergy were relocating from vulnerable communities due to fears of imminent attacks.
“As we speak, parishioners and priests are leaving these areas because they fear they could be the next targets,” he said. “Security personnel who arrived after the incident are no longer visible, and the people feel abandoned. These attackers are operating freely, and our people are moving out to avoid being killed or kidnapped.”
Providing background to the violence, Kabirat explained that the terrorists launched their coordinated attack on December 28, 2025, arriving on approximately 30 motorcycles, with two armed men riding on each. According to him, the attackers targeted both Christians and Muslims indiscriminately, abducted an unspecified number of women and children, and set entire settlements ablaze.
“The intensity of the attack was such that thick smoke from the burning villages could be seen from as far as 15 kilometres away in Papiri,” he said.
He further detailed the movement of the attackers, noting that they emerged from their hideout within the Borgu Game Reserve, passed through the Kanu Hills, and moved across several villages including Sokonbora, Bako-Mission, and Shafaci.
After crossing into Kebbi State, the attackers reportedly struck the village of Kaiwa, where five people were killed and homes and grain stores were set on fire. They later moved to Gebe, killing two additional residents before retracing their steps.
On January 1, 2026, the terrorists reportedly passed through Shafaci again, where they vandalised a police station and destroyed official documents before spending the night in nearby bushes. Over the following days, they continued to move freely through surrounding communities, allegedly issuing threats, looting food supplies, and occupying local compounds.
In Sokonbora, the attackers were said to have invaded a church compound, where they destroyed religious symbols, musical instruments, and stole motorcycles, mobile phones, and cash. They later occupied Kambari settlements, where they reportedly feasted on livestock taken from residents and remained unchallenged for several days.
Another resident, Abuka, said the people of Papiri, Kwana, and Tungan Salama were living in constant fear, with many families hiding in the bush or fleeing entirely.
“From December 28, 2025, to January 3, 2026, these bandits moved around freely without any serious confrontation from security forces,” he said. “Schoolchildren who were recently rescued from captivity have been traumatised again, including my own daughter. Families are hiding in the bush, and people are abandoning their homes and belongings in large numbers.”
State authorities have acknowledged the attacks, describing them as tragic and deeply disturbing. Government officials said the attackers also struck several other communities while moving through parts of Rijau and Agwara LGAs, killing residents, attacking a police outpost, and vandalising a missionary school. While properties were destroyed in some locations, no casualties were reported in those particular incidents.
The state government expressed sympathy with affected families and assured residents that it was working closely with federal authorities and security agencies to prevent further attacks. Residents were urged to remain vigilant while security operations continue.
In response to the violence, the President ordered an extensive manhunt for the perpetrators, directing top security officials to track down those responsible for the Kasuwan Daji massacre and ensure they are brought to justice.
“These attackers have tested the resolve of our nation,” the President said, vowing that those responsible, as well as anyone aiding or abetting them, would face the full weight of the law.
The attack has also drawn condemnation from political leaders across the country. A senator representing Kogi Central described the killings as heartbreaking and senseless, warning that the incident reflects the worsening security situation facing many rural communities.
She mourned the victims, extended condolences to the bereaved families, and expressed concern over reports of abductions and the destruction of the market, noting that such attacks devastate local economies and livelihoods.
Calling for urgent and decisive action, she urged security agencies to adopt a proactive, intelligence-driven strategy to protect vulnerable communities and restore public confidence.
“Nigeria cannot afford to normalise these tragedies,” she said. “Protecting lives and property is the foremost duty of government, and urgent steps must be taken to restore peace and stability.”
As fear continues to spread across the affected areas, displaced residents say their return home depends largely on the presence of visible, sustained security and decisive action against the armed groups terrorising their communities.
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