Terrorist Threat Triggers Large-Scale Exodus in Agwara, Borgu Villages in Niger State.
From Our Correspondent.
Chaos has unfolded in parts of Agwara and Borgu local government areas of Niger State as villagers flee their homes amid reports of militants on the loose, ready to strike again.
Recent reports show widespread panic across the villages, fueled by rampant rumors, with no major town offering safety to residents.
Residents from Kwana, the last village in Agwara LG, along with those from Tugan Salama after Papiri and before Gufanti in Borgu LG, expressed concern over the lack of security personnel. They reported receiving threats and indications of imminent attacks.
Kasuwan Daji, a small village known for its Wednesday market, was among the sites targeted by terrorists who set the market and nearby houses on fire, killing 42 men after tying their arms.
A villager, speaking anonymously, urged the government and security agencies to act quickly, warning that without security, the loss of lives and large-scale displacement will continue.
He stressed the importance of a strong, well-equipped military task force capable of tracking, engaging, and eliminating terrorists whenever they emerge from the Kanji Game Reserve.
Revd. Father Matthew Kabirat, Director of Communications for the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, confirmed the worsening crisis, noting that parishioners and priests are evacuating out of fear of attacks. He pointed out that the lack of a security response following recent incidents has made the community vulnerable.
He recounted that on December 28, 2025, heavily armed terrorists riding about 30 motorcycles attacked, killing both Christians and Muslims, kidnapping women and children, and setting fires visible from 15 kilometers away near Papiri.
The terrorists reportedly moved from their hideout in the Borgu Game Reserve through the Kanu Hills and several villages, including Sokonbora, Bako-Mission, and Shafaci. They crossed into Kebbi State, where they killed five people in Kaiwa and two in Gebe, before returning through Shafaci, passing Bako-Mission, and threatening local authorities.
On January 2, 2026, the terrorists entered Sokonbora’s Catholic Church compound, destroying religious symbols and stealing valuables, then rested nearby, engaging in looting and feasting until the next day.
Another local, Abuka, highlighted that residents of Papiri, Kwana, and Tugan Salama have been living in fear, with security forces unable to challenge the roaming bandits since December 28. He emphasized the trauma on those recently freed and the ongoing evacuation of homes.
The situation remains critical as the community struggles with threats, displacement, and the lack of adequate security measures.
