At least six farmers have been killed following a late-night attack by armed assailants on Wawa community in Niger State, heightening fears over the deteriorating security situation along the Niger–Kwara corridor.
The attack occurred around 10:00pm on Thursday when gunmen reportedly stormed Wawa Village in large numbers and opened fire on residents who were working on their farms before fleeing the area.
Sources who spoke to counterinsurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, confirmed that the victims were all male residents of the community. They were identified as Bahbe Bokobe; Luku, a member of the local vigilante group; Bahgado Bohboh; Naziru Kidebe; Abdulrahman Kidebe, popularly known as Ogede; and Bashiru Dahtobeh.
Security sources disclosed that shortly after the attack, the area was cordoned off by security operatives to prevent further violence and secure the scene. The bodies of the victims were subsequently evacuated to the General Hospital in Wawa, where they were deposited for autopsy.
“At least six farmers were killed late Thursday night when armed assailants invaded Wawa Village and opened fire on residents working on their farms,” a security source said.
“Those killed were Bahbe Bokobe; Luku, a vigilante member; Bahgado Bohboh; Naziru Kidebe; Abdulrahman Kidebe, also known as Ogede; and Bashiru Dahtobeh, all from the same community.”
Further intelligence suggests that while similar attacks in the region have often been described as banditry, recent patterns indicate a more troubling evolution in the nature of the violence.
What initially began as cattle rustling and opportunistic criminal raids in parts of the North-West and North-Central regions has increasingly taken on the characteristics of a hybrid jihadist campaign. Analysts note that the operational style now includes execution-style killings, extended presence within communities, coordinated movements, and structured withdrawals into forest hideouts.
These tactics, security experts argue, are inconsistent with conventional banditry and closely resemble the operational doctrine previously associated with Boko Haram’s Jama’atu Ahlis Sunna Lidda’awati wal-Jihad (JAS) faction, now appearing to adapt to new areas.
The Wawa axis is considered strategically significant due to its location along major routes linking Niger State, Kwara State, and the Benin Republic. The area also provides access to critical infrastructure, including military installations.
In addition, the Kainji National Park—surrounded by communities such as Nuku, Durumma, Woro, Wawa, and Babanna that have recently witnessed night attacks—has reportedly become a rear base for insurgent groups operating along the Niger–Kwara corridor.
Security analysts warn that the vast and difficult terrain of the area offers armed groups mobility, supply routes, and escape paths across both state and international borders, making it increasingly attractive to violent extremist elements.
The latest attack has renewed calls for stronger security interventions to protect rural communities and prevent further loss of lives in the region.
