BARELY days after a deadly market massacre in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, fear has returned to several border communities as terrorists reportedly issued fresh written threats, warning residents of renewed attacks and forcing many families to flee their homes.
Residents of multiple villages in Agwara and Borgu local government areas told News Point Nigeria that suspected terrorists, believed to be operating from the Kainji Game Reserve axis, have sent messages threatening to continue the killings that claimed more than 50 lives last Saturday.
The threats, according to locals, have sparked panic and mass displacement across vulnerable border communities linking Niger, Kebbi and parts of Kwara states, amid complaints of an absence of sustained security presence.
Villagers from Kwana, the last settlement in Agwara LGA, and Tungan Salama near Papiri in Borgu LGA, said they had received credible intelligence that the armed groups were planning to strike again.
Residents also alleged that security personnel deployed after the massacre withdrew shortly after arriving, leaving communities exposed and unprotected.
Kasuwan Daji, the epicentre of Saturday’s attack, is a border settlement between Agwara and Borgu LGAs, known for its weekly Wednesday market. During the assault, terrorists reportedly overran the community, tied the hands of victims and killed at least 42 men, before setting homes and market stalls on fire.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, appealed to the Federal and Niger State governments to urgently deploy a strong and permanent military task force to the area.
“Without security, there will be a massive and ongoing loss of life and permanent displacement of large numbers of people,” he said.
“It is clear that pending the elimination of the terrorists and dismantling of their hideouts in the Kainji Game Reserve, there is an immediate need for a large, well-equipped military force empowered to pursue and eliminate them whenever they emerge for attacks.”
Confirming the situation, the Director of Communications of the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Fr. Matthew Kabirat, said priests and parishioners were relocating for fear of fresh assaults.
“As I am talking to you, our parishioners and priests are leaving because of possible attacks. The security personnel that came after the incident cannot be found. There are no signs of help for the people,” he said.
“These terrorists are having a field day, and our people are leaving the area either for fear of being killed or kidnapped.”
Kabirat gave a detailed account of the attacks, saying that on December 28, 2025, heavily armed terrorists riding on about 30 motorcycles invaded the area.
“The victims were both Christians and Muslims. They kidnapped an unknown number of women and children and set the place on fire. The smoke could be seen as far as 15 kilometres away in Papiri,” he said.
He explained that the attackers moved from the Borgu Game Reserve through Kanu Hills, Sokonbora, Bako-Mission and Shafaci villages, before crossing into Kebbi State.
“In Kaiwa village, they killed five people and burned houses and grain stores. In Gebe, they killed two more people,” Kabirat added.
According to him, on January 1, 2026, the terrorists returned through Shafaci, burned documents at the police station, and camped in nearby bushes.
“On January 2, they gave a telephone number to be delivered to the District Head of Pissa and the Village Head of Sokonbora. Later that day, they entered the Catholic Church in Sokonbora, destroyed a crucifix, Stations of the Cross, musical instruments, and stole motorcycles, phones and cash.”
He further revealed that the attackers occupied Kambari compounds for two days, freely slaughtering and eating residents’ goats and fowls.
“Between December 28 and January 3, these bandits roamed freely without being challenged by security forces,” he said.
“Schoolchildren recently released from captivity, including my daughter, have been traumatised again. Families are hiding in the bush, and people are fleeing in large numbers, abandoning homes and property.”
Efforts to reach the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, were unsuccessful. However, the Commissioner for Information, Obed Nana, confirmed the threats and urged residents to remain calm.
He said terrorists also invaded communities in parts of Rijau and Agwara LGAs, attacked a police outpost in Shafaci and a Catholic Missionary School in Sukumbara, destroying property and stealing motorcycles.
“The Government of Niger State is deeply saddened by this tragedy and is collaborating with the Federal Government and security agencies to prevent further attacks,” Nana said.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu had earlier ordered a full manhunt for the attackers, directing top security chiefs to track and apprehend those responsible for the Kasuwan Daji massacre.
“These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country. They must face the full consequences of their actions,” the President said.