After terrorists killed over 40, Niger residents flee houses, lament absence of safety personnel
Residents of Niger State communities are fleeing their houses in panic over fears of renewed terrorist assaults.
The residents of Agwara and Borgu native authorities areas within the state alleged that the terrorists have threatened to proceed the killings after they left over 40 useless and plenty of others kidnapped on Saturday.
Based on the residents, troopers of the Nigerian Military deployed to the native governments left the world shortly after arrival, leaving the residents with none safety presence.
A number of the villagers from Kwana, the final village of Agwarra native authorities and Tugan Salama after Papiri, earlier than Gufanti, which is in Borgu Native Authorities Space, who spoke with newsmen, lamented the absence of safety personnel, saying they obtained threats and hints that the terrorists have been about to assault once more.
Kasuwan Daji, bordering Agwara and Borgu native authorities areas, is a small village with a big Wednesday market, which the terrorists set ablaze with its surrounding homes and slaughtered 42 males after tying their arms behind their backs.
A villager who spoke in anonymity appealed to the federal government and related safety businesses to come back to their help, noting that there could also be extra deaths and everlasting displacement of residents.
“With out safety, there shall be a large and ongoing lack of life and everlasting displacement of enormous numbers of individuals.
“It’s clear that pending the elimination of the terrorists and dismantling of their hideouts in Kanji Sport Reserve, there’s a right away want for a big and well-equipped navy process drive within the space able to and empowered to pursue, interact and get rid of these terrorists each time they arrive out of the Sport Reserve once more for additional assaults,” he stated.
Confirming the state of affairs to our Correspondent, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Revd. Father Matthew Kabirat stated parishioners and Monks are at present relocating from their residences.
“As I’m speaking to you, our parishioners and clergymen are leaving for concern of doable assaults. The safety personnel that got here after the incident can’t be discovered, there aren’t any indicators of assist for the individuals, these terrorists are having a subject day and our persons are transferring from that axis for concern of both being killed or kidnapped,” he stated.
Kabirat gave the background to the current assaults that claimed 42 lives, saying, “On the twenty eighth of December 2025, closely armed terrorists driving on roughly 30 bikes, with two individuals on every bike, stormed the world and began killing wantonly.
“The victims are each Christians and Muslims; additionally they kidnapped an unknown variety of girls and kids. They set the place on fireplace. It was so intense that the smoke may very well be seen 15 Kilometres away at Papiri,” he stated.
Kabirat defined that the terrorists left their hideout within the Borgu sport reserve and travelled by the Kanu Hills and the villages of Sokonbora, Bako-Mission, and Shafaci.
“They crossed into Kebbi State, north of Shafaci, and proceeded to the village of Kaiwa, the place they killed 5 individuals and set fireplace to homes and grain shops. They then moved on to Gebe, the place they killed two extra individuals. On Thursday, 1st of January 2026, the terrorists handed by Shafaci once more and burned paperwork on the Police Station earlier than spending the evening within the bush.
“They handed close to Bako-Mission and the Tungan Kure junction close to Pissa Village on the 2nd of January, the place they gave some people a phone quantity to be delivered to the District Head of Pissa and the Village Head of Sokonbora.
“And at about 10am on the 2nd January 2026, they entered the Catholic Church compound in Sokonbora and destroyed a crucifix, footage of the Stations of the Cross, and musical devices, the place additionally they stole two bikes, cellphones, and money.
“After leaving Sokonbora, they occupied some Kambari compound close by the place they spent the remainder of that day till the afternoon of the following day third January, 2026, feasting and consuming the fowls and goats of the individuals,” he stated.
One other resident, who gave his title as Abuka, stated the individuals of Papiri, Kwana, and Tugan Salama, each in Agwarra and Borgu LGAs, are at present residing in concern.
“Between Sunday, the twenty eighth December 2025 and Saturday, the third January 2026, this group of bandits have been roaming freely with out being challenged by safety forces.
“Consequently, the Papiri faculty youngsters, who have been not too long ago launched from captivity, together with my daughter, have been additional traumatised as they’re compelled to cover within the bush with their households
“Nonetheless, persons are transferring from the world in massive quantity abandoning their houses and properties,” he stated.
Over 40 individuals and plenty of others have been kidnapped in Niger State on Saturday when terrorists invaded communities in Agwarra and Borgu native authorities areas.
The Niger State Command of the Nigeria Police confirmed the killing, saying that safety officers had been deployed to rescue the kidnapped victims.