Fresh violence has hit communities in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, as armed terrorists launched coordinated attacks on two villages, killing dozens of residents and abducting several people, including schoolchildren who were only recently released from captivity.
The gunmen struck Kasuwan Daji and Kaima villages on Saturday, leaving at least 42 people dead, according to local sources. Women and children were among the victims, while markets were set on fire and food items carted away during the attacks.
Residents said the assailants emerged from the Kainji National Park axis before descending on the communities. A community member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said some of those abducted were students of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri who had just regained their freedom days earlier.
“They killed 37 people in Kasuwan Daji and another five in Kaima,” the resident said. “They also took many people away, including children and students who were recently freed.”
The attackers were said to have crossed from Kebbi State through the River Rofia corridor, an area that has increasingly become a route for armed groups carrying out raids in Niger State. Earlier in the week, bandits fleeing a military operation in neighbouring Kwara State reportedly attacked Gebe and Goro villages, killing two people and burning more than 15 houses.
The wave of attacks has also targeted security formations. Last week, gunmen reportedly overran a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps checkpoint in Wawa, Borgu Local Government Area, escaping with arms after personnel fled the scene.
Confirming the incident, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora described the situation as dire, saying church facilities were also targeted. The Director of Communications of the diocese, Reverend Father Stephen Kabirat, said the parish priest at the Papiri mission narrowly escaped abduction.
“The terrorists came to our mission house three days ago,” Kabirat said. “They destroyed religious items, stole two motorcycles and took over ₦200,000 in cash.”
The renewed violence has forced residents to abandon their homes, with many now seeking refuge in nearby bushes for fear of further attacks. A villager said families, including relatives of the abducted students, no longer feel safe sleeping in their communities.
“People are living in fear,” the resident said. “Some villages have been sleeping in the bushes because the attackers can return at any time.”
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the attack, though it reported a lower death toll. According to the command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, more than 30 people were killed when suspected bandits invaded Kasuwan Daji on Saturday evening.
“At about 4:30 p.m., suspected bandits from the National Park forest attacked Kasuwan Daji in the Demo area, killed over 30 people, burnt the market and looted shops,” Abiodun said.
He added that a joint security team had been deployed to the area and that efforts were ongoing to rescue those abducted.
“Further developments will be communicated as the operation continues,” the police spokesperson said.
