...We’re searching for missing persons – Police
Suspected terrorists over the weekend killed at least seven young men, including some members of staff of the Kainji National Park in the Wawa community of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
This was as the Niger State Police Command disclosed that its men are combing the forest in search of missing persons.
Saturday Telegraph gathered that the remains of those killed have been deposited at the General Hospital in Wawa town.
Chairman of the local government area, Alhaji Abdullahi Mohammed Nasir, while confirming the killings, described it as very sad.
The incident, according to eyewitness report has that a father identified as Deshi and his son, who went to visit their workers (farmers) in their farm and were attacked by suspected terrorists, during which the son narrowly escaped to inform the villagers.
Aggrieved youths and some vigilante members mobilised and then went in search of the fathers and some of the farmers.
However, they found the corpses of seven of the farmers, but did not find Deshi and the other farmers.
Speaking with our Correspondent, son of the late Emir of Borgu, Murtala Dantoro, said that the community received the bodies of the seven dead bodies and pleaded that the state and the federal government should address the recurring terrorist attacks in Borgu LGA.
“The community of Wawa in Borgu Local Government Area has confirmed the tragic loss of our brothers from Wthe awa community.
“The crisis erupted following a report that a prominent youth was attacked on his farm. A group of youths mobilised and went into the bush to confront suspected bandits in an attempt to rescue him.
“While some of the youths returned safely, others were declared missing. Sadly, the situation has taken a tragic turn.
“Seven bodies were recovered from the scene, and security operatives conveyed them from the bush to the community.
“As of now, our brothers have been officially confirmed dead, thereby plunging our community into mourning.
He then said, “This incident has caused more worries, deep pain, fear, and trauma among families, friends, and the community.
“Borgu local government has witnessed series of attacks by armed bandits recently, which left many people dead and forced people to leave their ancestral land for fear of further attacks by the bandits, which seems to be unabated despite public outcry in the area.
“We are calling on both the state and the federal government to come to our aid and rid our land of the activities of these terrorists and ensure peace is restored in the area.”
The villagers gave the names of the victims as Bokobe, Luku, a member of the local vigilante group, Bahgado Bohboh, Naziru Kidebe, Abdulrahman Kidebe, popularly known as Ogede, and Bashiru Dahtobeh, all males from the same community.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, in a WhatsApp message he sent, disclosed that only six persons were killed.
In the message titled, SIX BODIES RECOVERED IN DAMALA VILLAGE VIA WAWA, NEW-BUSSA, he said the search has been intensified to locate other missing persons.
“On 22/1/26 at about 12 pm, a report received indicated that one Deshi and his son, both of Wawa via New-Bussa Borgu LGA, were attacked by bandits while on their way to visit workers on their farm at Damala village beside Wawa National Park forest.
“The son was able to escape and returned home, while he informed the relatives at home of the situation.
“The relatives with some vigilante men mobilised to the area in search of the said Deshi, and unfortunately,y they were also attacked.
“On 23/1/26 at about 9 am, security operatives mobilised to the scene and recovered six bodies, while Deshi and one other are still missing. Efforts are being intensified for the search for other missing persons,” he stated.
