Security in Niger State has been dealt another severe blow following a deadly terrorist raid on a rural community. The attack resulted in multiple fatalities and significant destruction of property.
Details of the Damala Village Attack
The Niger State Police Command has officially confirmed a brutal assault by terrorists on Damala village in the Woko District of Borgu Local Government Area. The incident occurred in the early hours of Saturday, January 9, sending terrified residents fleeing into the bush for safety.
According to the police spokesman, SP Wasiu Abiodun, the armed assailants, often referred to as bandits, carried out a multi-pronged assault. They killed four residents during the invasion. The criminals also rustled an unspecified number of cattle from the community, a common tactic used to finance their operations.
In an act of further devastation, the gunmen set several shops within the community ablaze before fleeing the scene. Reports also indicate that an undisclosed number of villagers were abducted during the chaotic attack.
A Disturbing Pattern of Violence
This raid on Damala village comes just days after a far more devastating attack in the same local government area. Earlier, a large number of terrorists invaded the Kasuwan Daji Market in Demo village, also within Borgu LGA. That previous assault claimed the lives of no fewer than 42 people, with many others kidnapped.
The proximity and timing of these two incidents highlight a severe and escalating security challenge in the region, leaving communities in constant fear.
Police Response and Ongoing Operations
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 13, SP Abiodun detailed the security response. He stated that security agencies promptly reacted to the distress call from Damala and have since visited the affected area to assess the situation.
Clearance operations are currently ongoing in the vicinity, with security monitoring significantly intensified to forestall any further attacks and ensure the safety of the remaining residents.
Abiodun assured the public that efforts are being sustained to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of this heinous act. The police remain committed to restoring normalcy and peace to the troubled area.
