Barely days after Niger State Governor Umaru Mohammed Bago vowed to crack down on bandits and their collaborators, suspected terrorists have struck again—bombing a key bridge in Borgu Local Government Area and leaving an unspecified number of people feared dead.
The early morning attack, which occurred around 2:00 a.m. on Monday along the Wawa–Luma–Guffanti road, targeted a critical route linking several communities and the busy Babanna border market.
Local sources said the attackers, believed to be affiliated with Boko Haram under a commander identified as Mallam Sadiku, used explosive devices to destroy the bridge, effectively cutting off access to the area.
The road serves as a vital economic lifeline, connecting traders and residents to markets and neighbouring communities, including border routes near the Kainji Lake National Park.
A commercial driver, Ahmed Yusuf, who was transporting traders to Babanna market, described the devastation:
“No vehicle can pass. The bridge has been split into two. Only motorcycles are struggling through beneath it.”
The destruction forced the suspension of trading activities at the Babanna market, a major commercial hub that operates weekly and attracts traders from across the region.
Security sources indicate that armed groups have maintained a strong presence in the Kainji forest corridor for years, with factions linked to both Boko Haram and Ansaru reportedly engaging in illegal logging and mining activities.
Residents say the latest attack highlights the growing influence of these groups and the near-total absence of security in the area.
“This is devastating. That bridge is critical for our economic survival and social life,” a local resident said, calling for urgent government intervention.
Confirming the incident, Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the attack was carried out using explosives and was likely aimed at disrupting ongoing security operations.
He assured that security agencies have intensified clearance operations and are monitoring the situation to restore order.
The attack underscores the escalating insecurity in parts of Niger State, where repeated assaults on communities and infrastructure continue to challenge both state and federal authorities.
Despite recent assurances by the governor, residents fear that the latest incident signals a bold escalation by armed groups determined to cripple economic activity and entrench their control.
Terrorists Defy Bago, Bomb Bridge in Niger Community
