In a tragic incident in Niger State, terrorists have killed a nurse and four farmers, according to reports. The attack took place on Thursday at about 4:30 pm in Unguwan-Karu village, located along the Allawa–Pandogari road. The victim, Bala Allawa, a nurse at the General Hospital in Kagara, had reportedly gone to fetch firewood after closing from work.
Details of the Attack
Bala Allawa, a father of eight and husband to two wives, had been living as an Internally Displaced Person (IDP) in Pandogari after his community, Allawa, was deserted in 2024. Residents reported that an unspecified number of people were also kidnapped during the assault.
Abdulhamid Tanko, his niece, confirmed the incident, stating that he was with his uncle around 4 pm before he left to gather firewood for his wives. Tanko added that four other bodies were recovered from the bush near where his uncle was killed.
Bandits Active in the Area
“Honestly speaking, since last week Friday, the bandits have been moving around the axes of Pandogari, Kagara, Maikujeri and Tegina. There has been no peace for one week now. Nobody can move freely in those areas. In fact, these people have attempted to invade major communities,” Tanko explained.
He further stated that bandits have converted the Allawa community into their camp, where they keep kidnapped victims and collect ransom.
Government Response
Bologi Ibrahim, the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Umar Bago, confirmed the attack and the killing of the nurse in a statement on Friday. However, he remained silent on the four others reportedly killed and those abducted. The governor expressed sympathy with the hospital management and the family of the deceased, describing the killing of Allawa as tragic and senseless.
