…the terrorists killed over 40 people and abducted several others.
NIGER, NIGERIA- The iNews Times | Terrorists have again abducted an unspecified number of people, including pupils and students of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The abduction occurred at the same school whose pupils and students were recently taken captive and later released, heightening fears across the affected communities.
No fewer than 42 people, including women and children, were reportedly killed in the latest coordinated attacks, which have plunged several communities into mourning.
A source familiar with the situation in Kasuwan Daji and Kaima communities, where the attacks took place on Saturday, disclosed that many villagers were abducted and taken into the Kainji National Park. Among those taken were students of the Papiri missionary school who had only recently regained their freedom.
The attacks came barely five days after bandits fleeing military operations in Kwara State invaded Gebe and Goro communities in Agwara Local Government Area, killing two people and burning more than 15 houses after looting valuables.
Similarly, about a week earlier, gunmen attacked a Civil Defence checkpoint in Wawa community, Borgu Local Government Area, forcing personnel to flee while the attackers carted away arms and ammunition.
Reliable sources said the terrorists have established strongholds within the Kainji National Park, from where they carry out sustained attacks on surrounding communities.
“They killed 37 people in Kasuwan Daji near Papiri and another five in Kaima village, and abducted many residents, including women and children,” a source said.
“The government and security agencies must urgently come to our rescue. The terrorists crossed River Rofia from Kebbi State and have been launching attacks almost daily. On Saturday alone, they burnt a market and abducted many people, including children.”
Confirming the incident, the Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr. Stephen Kabirat, said the terrorists killed over 40 people and abducted several others .
“Our parish priest narrowly escaped abduction when terrorists invaded our Mission House three days ago. They destroyed religious items, carted away two motorcycles and stole over ₦200,000 in cash,” he said.
“They were searching for the priest, but he escaped. Unfortunately, they abducted villagers, including children.”
A resident appealed to authorities to intervene, revealing that some families whose children were earlier abducted have resorted to sleeping in the bush out of fear.
Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that police received reports around 9 pm on Saturday that suspected bandits had attacked communities, killing over 30 people and abducting an unconfirmed number of victims.
According to him, “At about 4:30 pm on Saturday, suspected bandits emerged from the National Park forest along Kabe District and invaded Kasuwan Daji in Demo Village via Kabe, killing over 30 people, setting the market ablaze, looting shops and carting away food items.”
He added that a joint security team had visited the affected areas and efforts were ongoing to rescue the abducted victims.
Meanwhile, fear and tension have gripped Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas following the massacre, forcing residents to flee to neighbouring villages for safety. Many communities were deserted by Sunday afternoon due to the absence of security personnel and the overwhelming presence of the attackers.
While men remained behind to bury the dead under tense conditions, women and children fled en masse to safer locations.
A community leader, who spoke anonymously, warned that the terrorists’ objective was to displace residents and occupy their land, stressing that the Kainji National Park forest had become a permanent base for the attackers.
Former Niger State Commissioner for Information and APC chieftain, Jonathan Vatsa, described the renewed attacks as a major setback for the state and the country, noting that the violence resurfaced barely two weeks after the release of the abducted Papiri schoolchildren.
“The situation shows that securing the release of abducted victims is not enough. There must be sustained security presence in the area. The Kainji National Park appears to have been taken over by terrorists, and the federal government must urgently intervene,” Vatsa said.
He added that persistent insecurity had severely hindered development efforts in the state, calling for stronger national and international support to tackle the crisis.
Reacting, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, expressed deep sorrow over the attacks in Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas, describing them as cruel and heinous.
In a statement issued on Sunday by his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor said the victims of the Kasuwan Daji market attack included both Muslims and Christians who had gathered for economic activities.
He assured residents that his administration was working closely with the federal government and security agencies to restore peace and rescue abducted victims, while praying for the repose of the deceased and recovery of the injured.
Also, the State Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Obed Nuhu Nana, attributed the escalation of attacks to terrorists fleeing recent US airstrikes in Sokoto and Kwara states.
According to him, Boko Haram elements relocated through Kebbi State into parts of Niger State, including Rijau, Agwara and Borgu, where they carried out the deadly attacks.
“The government is deeply saddened by this tragedy and remains committed to working with security agencies to prevent further attacks,” Nana said, urging residents to remain vigilant.
