Four killed as suspected bandits raid Damala village in Niger State

No fewer than four persons have been killed following an attack by suspected bandits on Damala village in the Woko district of Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The latest assault came barely one week after gunmen killed at least 42 residents in several communities across Borgu and neighbouring Agwara Local Government Areas, heightening fears over worsening insecurity in the region.

Residents said the attack occurred at about 11 p.m. on Friday, after villagers had retired for the night. The assailants reportedly stormed the community, rustled cattle and unleashed violence on residents before fleeing the area.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said about four people lost their lives during the attack.

“On January 10, 2026, within the early hours of the day, a report was received that suspected armed bandits attacked Damala village via Woko district of Borgu LGA, rustling some cattle and about four persons lost their lives during the attack within the village,” Abiodun said.

He added that some shops were also set ablaze by the attackers, compounding the losses suffered by the community.

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According to him, security agencies have since visited the scene, while clearance and monitoring operations are ongoing to prevent further attacks and restore calm in the area.

The incident comes amid renewed efforts by the federal government to tackle insecurity in Niger State.

On January 4, President Bola Tinubu directed the military, the Nigeria Police Force and the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down and arrest those responsible for a previous attack on Kasuwan Daji community in the state.

The president also assured residents that security agencies had been instructed to intensify operations in vulnerable communities, particularly those located near forests believed to serve as hideouts for criminal groups.

Despite these assurances, repeated attacks in Borgu and surrounding areas have continued to raise concerns among residents and local leaders, who are calling for sustained security presence and proactive measures to protect rural communities from banditry.