Armed Bandits have attacked communities within the Agwara and Borgu local councils of Niger State, resulting in the killing of 30 persons and numerous abductions, including children.
Sources from the area indicated that these attacks have been ongoing in Agwara villages over the past week, occurring with little resistance from any security agencies.
According to reports, the bandits arrived and targeted communities deliberately, exploiting the region’s security deficiencies.
It was gathered that they killed many individuals in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri, five in Kaima Village, and abducted many residents, some of whom are pupils at St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri.
The people in the area have called for urgent government intervention, highlighting the crisis unfolding across the river where the students were taken.
The bandits reportedly emerged from the forest a week ago, causing widespread havoc in the villages. As of Saturday, 3rd January 2026, they burned down a market and abducted some residents there, including children.
The Director of Communications for the Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese, Rev. Father Stephen Kabirat, confirmed the casualties, stating that over 40 people have been killed and others taken captive.
He recounted that the Parish Priest narrowly escaped abduction when the bandits visited the Mission House, destroying religious items, stealing two motorcycles, and looting over Two Hundred Thousand Naira.
Father Stephen added that the bandits sought the priest, but he managed to escape, and they also abducted villagers, including children.
A villager in the area appealed for assistance, noting that some affected villages have been forced to seek refuge in the bushes due to ongoing threats.
The Niger State Police Command had verified the attacks, explaining that around 9pm on Saturday, 3rd January 2026, suspected bandits struck, killing over 30 people and abducting an unspecified number.
Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that suspected bandits from the National Park Forest along Kabe District attacked Kasuwan Daji at Demo Village via Kabe, destroying the market, looting shops, and stealing food.
A joint security team has visited the scene, and rescue efforts are ongoing.
