Again, terrorists storm village in Niger, kill 4, set shops ablaze

Terrorists have again carried out a deadly attack in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, this time targeting Damala village in Woko District, where four people were killed and several shops were set ablaze.

The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 10, leaving residents in panic as they fled the community in different directions to escape the violence.

A source in the area disclosed that some residents were also abducted during the attack, though the exact number could not be ascertained.

The latest assault comes only days after terrorists, operating in large numbers, attacked Kasuwan Daji Market in Demo village, also in Borgu Local Government Area, where at least 42 people were killed and others abducted.

Reacting to the Damala attack, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that the attackers killed four residents and rustled cattle.

“The bandits attacked Damala village in Woko District of Borgu LGA, rustled an unspecified number of cattle, and killed four residents during the attack.

“The gunmen also set several shops in the community ablaze before fleeing the scene.

“Security agencies promptly responded to the incident and have since visited the affected area.

“Clearance operations are currently ongoing, while security monitoring has been intensified to prevent further attacks and ensure the safety of residents,” Abiodun stated.

He assured residents that security agencies were making sustained efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and restore normalcy to the area.

Borgu and Agwara local government areas of Niger State have recorded a surge in terrorist activities in recent times.

In addition to the massacre at Kasuwan Daji Market, terrorists had earlier abducted 315 pupils, students and teachers of St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Paipiri community, Agwara Local Government Area.

The abducted pupils and staff were later released after spending about one month in captivity following the intervention of the Federal Government.