Armed terrorists have carried out a major abduction, seizing an unspecified number of travellers along a key road in Niger State. The incident, which highlights ongoing security challenges in the region, occurred on the Wawa-Luma Road within the Borgu Local Government Area.
Details of the Monday Afternoon Ambush
According to accounts from local residents shared with Daily Trust, the assault began in the late afternoon of Monday, December 1, 2025. The attack started around 4 p.m. and continued unchallenged until approximately 7 p.m., a three-hour window that underscores the audacity of the assailants and the security vacuum in the area.
The terrorists, moving on motorcycles, targeted passenger vehicles. A source detailed that two vehicles, one heading to the Gupanti community and another to Lumma, were ambushed. All occupants of both vehicles were forcibly taken away by the gunmen. In a separate but related incident, another car travelling to Papiri came under fire, but the driver reportedly managed to escape the scene.
Terrorists' Mode of Operation and a Named Victim
Eyewitnesses described a coordinated operation by the kidnappers. "The terrorists rode on motorcycles, with each motorcycle carrying three armed men," one source revealed. This mode of transport allows for rapid movement and attack in the region's terrain.
Among those confirmed to have been taken is Mallam Umaru from Luma-Sanke. Following the abductions, the attackers strategically dispersed. They split into three groups: one was sighted around the Kale area, another moved toward the Konkoje axis and the Wawa–Kaiama stretch, while the final group headed back toward the Wawa–Luma axis.
Implications and Lingering Security Concerns
This brazen attack on a public road during daylight hours points to a severe security lapse. The prolonged duration of the incident, without any apparent intervention from security forces, will raise serious questions among residents and travellers about safety on interstate roads in parts of Niger State.
The abduction further stresses the persistent threat of terrorism and kidnapping for ransom in Nigeria's north-central region. It disrupts economic activity, instills fear in communities, and represents a direct attack on the freedom of movement of ordinary citizens. The fate of the abducted travellers remains unknown as of the time of this report.
