Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Entire families are fleeing their homes across communities in Kontagora, Niger State, after days of relentless bandit attacks, leaving behind abandoned farms, empty homes, and a growing humanitarian crisis that has forced thousands to seek refuge in neighbouring towns and forests. Residents say they are not leaving because they want to, but because staying could cost them their lives.
The attacks, which have intensified in recent weeks, have targeted villages across Kontagora Emirate, with armed bandits moving freely, killing residents, abducting dozens, and burning homes and schools. In one incident, gunmen attacked Tunga Na Ukku Village in Kontagora, abducted a resident and later killed him. In another attack, bandits abducted four women, including a pregnant woman, during a night raid on Maikadauri village in Kontagora Local Government Area.
The violence has been particularly devastating in communities surrounding the Nagwamase military cantonment, where bandits have allegedly seized control of the military training camp, leading to the displacement of approximately 23 communities in the surrounding area. The armed bandits' occupation of the military camp has led to frequent and violent attacks, forcing families in over 23 farming communities within the camp's vicinity to abandon their homes and relocate to safer areas. Many residents have fled to nearby towns, including Mashegu, Rijau, and Borgu, while others have sought refuge in the jungle and nearby areas for fear of further violence.
The mass displacement has created a humanitarian emergency, with thousands of families now living in makeshift shelters, schools, and the homes of relatives. Many fled with little more than the clothes on their backs, leaving behind their farms, livestock, and all their possessions. The attacks have also disrupted farming activities, heightening food security concerns in Niger State, one of Nigeria's key agricultural regions. One displaced woman told reporters that her husband was killed during the attack, while entire communities have been deserted as residents flee to avoid possible attacks.
The humanitarian toll has been compounded by the scale and brutality of the attacks. Between December 2025 and January 2026, a wave of coordinated bandit attacks across villages in the Kontagora Catholic Diocese left at least 42 people dead and an unknown number of women and children abducted. In one village, Kasuwan Daji in Agwara Local Government Area, bandits invaded early Sunday morning, killing dozens and abducting women and children. In another attack, bandits killed one person and abducted several others during coordinated attacks on communities within Nigeria's Kontagora Catholic Diocese.
The attacks on Kontagora are part of a broader wave of banditry that has engulfed Niger State and the wider North-West region. Armed groups have established camps in the area, operating with impunity and forcing residents to flee. In Mariga Local Government Area, residents have fled their homes amid reports that armed bandits have moved into the area and established camps. The situation is so dire that the Kontagora Emirate Council has convened an emergency security summit to address the escalating attacks.
The crisis has also exposed the failure of security agencies to protect civilians. Residents say bandits operate freely for hours without challenge, leaving communities with fear, destruction, and deep sorrow. The Niger State Government has ruled out negotiations with bandits, insisting that such actions would only embolden the criminals and worsen insecurity across the state. Governor Mohammed Umar Bago has declared that his administration will neither negotiate with bandits nor pay ransom to kidnappers, urging residents instead to take proactive steps to defend themselves.
As the humanitarian crisis unfolds, the people of Kontagora are demanding urgent government intervention. Community leaders, traditional rulers, and residents have called on the Federal and Niger State Governments, the military, the police, and other security agencies to intervene quickly and safeguard the area from further attacks. They are also urging the government to provide humanitarian assistance to displaced families, including food, shelter, and medical care.
The mass displacement in Kontagora is more than another headline; it is a humanitarian crisis unfolding in real time.
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