THE Wawa community in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State has been thrown into mourning following a fresh attack by bandits.
News Point Nigeria reports that the Niger State Police Command confirmed the recovery of six bodies.
According to the community, the crisis began when a prominent youth was reportedly attacked on his farm.
In response, a group of local youths mobilised and ventured into the bush in an attempt to confront the suspected bandits and rescue the victim.
While some of the youths later returned safely, several others were declared missing.
Confirming the development, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the incident occurred on January 22, 2026, at about noon, when one Deshi and his son, both residents of Wawa, were attacked by suspected bandits while on their way to visit workers on their farm at Damala Village, near the Wawa National Park forest in the New-Bussa, Borgu Local Government Area.
According to the police, the son managed to escape and returned home to alert relatives and community members.
Thereafter, relatives of the victim, alongside some vigilante members, mobilised to the area in search of Deshi.
However, the search party was also reportedly ambushed by the bandits.
SP Abiodun further disclosed that on January 23, 2026, at about 9 a.m., security operatives were deployed to the scene, where six bodies were recovered and conveyed from the area.
The police added that Deshi and one other person were still missing, while efforts are being intensified to locate the missing persons and apprehend those responsible for the attack.
The incident has caused deep pain, fear, and trauma among families, friends, and residents of the Wawa community.
Community leaders have appealed to residents to remain calm and to refrain from spreading unverified information, rumours, or inciting messages that could further escalate tensions in the area.
Borgu has in recent times witnessed a series of attacks by armed bandits, leading to multiple deaths and forcing many residents to flee their ancestral homes out of fear of continued violence.
Residents have, therefore, called on both the Niger State Government and the Federal Government to urgently intervene, intensify security operations, and bring an end to banditry in the area to restore lasting peace.
The police, however, urged residents to remain law-abiding, avoid self-help, and cooperate fully with security agencies as investigations and search operations continue.