Gunmen invade Niger village, kill many residents

Suspected Boko Haram terrorists have launched a deadly attack on Pissa community in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing an unspecified number of residents and abducting several others, including women and children.

According to local sources, the attack began in the early hours of Saturday, with the assailants reportedly overrunning the community, burning houses and forcing many residents to flee for safety.

Voice messages circulated by fleeing villagers indicated that more than 100 heavily armed terrorists participated in the attack and threatened to extend their assault to neighbouring communities, including Kabe and Sukumba.

One resident, speaking from hiding in a WhatsApp voice note, said local vigilantes were overwhelmed by the attackers, while no military reinforcements had arrived in the area.

“The terrorists have taken over the village. They overpowered the vigilantes and no security personnel have come to our rescue,” the source lamented.

A local security operative in Wawa, a nearby garrison town, explained that deploying troops to the affected communities by road had become difficult after terrorists reportedly destroyed the only bridge linking Wawa to the villages about two months ago.

“The only bridge connecting Wawa to the villages was blown up by Boko Haram. The only possible intervention now is by air,” the source said.

However, another villager claimed that neither military aircraft nor ground troops had been sighted in the area as the attack continued.

“They are still here, taking women and children. They are killing some people and burning our houses. No help has come,” the villager said.

The Niger State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident as of the time of filing this report.

The attack is believed to be linked to a Boko Haram faction reportedly led by Mallam Sadiku, which has been attempting to establish a stronghold within the Kainji Lake National Park and surrounding forest reserves.

The group has been linked to a series of major attacks in recent months, including the abduction of more than 300 students from St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Papiri, Niger State, in November 2025, attacks in Kwara State, and the kidnapping of students and teachers in Oyo State.

The latest assault has heightened concerns over the growing activities of terrorist groups operating within the Kainji Lake National Park corridor and adjoining forests stretching across Niger, Kwara and Oyo states.

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