Fresh Attack Hits Borgu Days After Deadly Kasuwan Deji Massacre
Barely one week after gunmen massacred 42 people in Kasuwan Deji, another violent attack has been recorded in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, further deepening fears across the region.
Gunmen suspected to be bandits invaded Damala community, a Kambari-populated settlement, late on Friday night at about 11 p.m., killing four people and rustling hundreds of cattle.
How the Attack Unfolded
A community source who spoke with thewatch.ng disclosed that the attackers stormed the village while residents were asleep, operating under the cover of darkness.
The source said the gunmen were heavily armed and appeared to have specific targets.
Also Read: Protest Erupts in Otukpo Over Incessant Killings, Kidnappings
“The bandits were many. They went straight to their victims and killed them inside their houses. They came purposely because of them; they were the target,” the source said.
The victims were reportedly cattle herders who controlled large herds in the area.
Attackers Escape Through Kainji Lake National Park
After killing their victims, the attackers reportedly fled with hundreds of cattle, moving towards the Borgu sector of Kainji Lake National Park, an area known for its rugged terrain and limited security access.
Damala community is located just a few kilometres from Woko (Wawa), a mining area allegedly being operated by a yet-to-be-identified individual, raising fresh concerns about the vulnerability of mining corridors in the region.
Chairman Confirms Attack, Says Borgu Is Under Siege
The Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Mallam Abdullahi Mohammed Nasiru, confirmed the attack and described the situation as dire.
He said the local government is under siege from terrorists and urgently appealed for intervention.
“There is an urgent need to secure the national park, which has now become an abode for criminals,” Nasiru said.
Calls for Stronger Security and Inter-Agency Collaboration
The council chairman called for:
Intensified security patrols around vulnerable communities
Improved collaboration between security agencies, park rangers, and local vigilante groups
Immediate action to flush criminals out of Kainji Lake National Park
He warned that residents continue to live in fear and apprehension, with repeated attacks threatening livelihoods and lives.
Borgu Communities Remain Under Threat
Communities bordering forested areas and national parks in Borgu LGA have remained under constant threat, as bandits and terrorist groups exploit poor surveillance and difficult terrain.
The latest attack further underscores the worsening security crisis in Niger State, particularly in rural settlements close to strategic but poorly secured locations.
