Residents of several communities in the Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State are fleeing their homes amid fears of renewed attacks after terrorists reportedly issued fresh threats following last Saturday’s massacre that left over 40 people dead.
Villagers told The PUNCH that the assailants warned they would continue the killings, triggering panic and displacement across border communities linking Agwara, Borgu and Kebbi State.
The residents alleged that soldiers deployed to the affected areas withdrew shortly after their arrival, leaving communities without visible security presence.
Villagers from Kwana, the last village in Agwara LGA, and Tungan Salama, near Papiri in Borgu LGA, said they had received credible information that the terrorists were planning to strike again.
Kasuwan Daji, a border village between Agwara and Borgu LGAs, was the epicentre of Saturday’s attack. The community, known for its weekly Wednesday market, was razed as the assailants allegedly tied the hands of their victims and killed 42 men, setting houses and market stalls ablaze.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, appealed to the Federal and state governments to urgently deploy a strong military presence to the area.
“Without security there will be a massive and on-going loss of life and permanent displacement of large numbers of people.
“It is clear that pending the elimination of the terrorists and dismantling of their hideouts in Kainji Game Reserve, there is an immediate need for a large and well-equipped military task force in the area capable of and empowered to pursue, engage and eliminate these terrorists whenever they come out of the Game Reserve again for further attacks,” he said.
Confirming the situation, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kabirat, said parishioners and priests were relocating due to fear of fresh attacks.
“As I am talking to you, our parishioners and priests are leaving for fear of possible attacks. The security personnel that came after the incident cannot be found, there are no signs of help for the people. These terrorists are having a field day and our people are moving from that axis for fear of either being killed or kidnapped,” he said.
Kabirat gave background to the attacks, saying that on December 28, 2025, heavily armed terrorists riding on about 30 motorcycles, with two persons on each, stormed the area.
“The victims are both Christians and Muslims; they also kidnapped an unknown number of women and children. They set the place on fire. It was so intense that the smoke could be seen 15 kilometres away at Papiri,” he said.
He said the attackers left their hideout in Borgu Game Reserve, travelling through 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, where they killed five people and set fire to houses and grain stores. They then moved on to Gebe, where they killed two more people.
“On Thursday, January 1, 2026, the terrorists passed through Shafaci again and burned documents at the Police Station before spending the night in the bush.
“They passed near Bako-Mission and the Tungan Kure junction near Pissa Village on January 2, where they gave some individuals a telephone number to be delivered to the District Head of Pissa and the Village Head of Sokonbora.
“And at about 10am on January 2, 2026, they entered the Catholic Church compound in Sokonbora and destroyed a crucifix, pictures of the Stations of the Cross, and musical instruments, and they also stole two motorcycles, mobile phones, and cash.
“After leaving Sokonbora, they occupied some Kambari compounds, where they spent the rest of that day until the afternoon of the next day, January 3, 2026, feasting and eating the fowls and goats of the people,” he added.
Another resident, Abuka, said the people of Papiri, Kwana, and Tungan Salama were living in constant fear.
“Between Sunday, December 28, 2025 and Saturday, January 3, 2026, this group of bandits have been roaming freely without being challenged by security forces.
“As a result, the Papiri school children, who were recently released from captivity, including my daughter, have been further traumatised as they are forced to hide in the bush with their families.
