BORGU – Eight people were killed on Monday, March 23, 2026, when their vehicle struck a landmine in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, highlighting a sharp escalation in terror tactics targeting critical rural infrastructure.
The tragedy occurred at approximately 6:30 a.m. along Luma Road, a vital transport artery connecting the Luma, Babana, and Agwara communities. According to reports, the victims were travelling in a commercial vehicle when they stepped on an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) planted by suspected terrorists.
The fatal explosion followed an earlier act of sabotage at approximately 2:00 a.m., where the same group used explosives to destroy a key bridge along the route. This bridge serves as a primary link for residents travelling to the Babanna major border market, which traditionally holds its sessions every Monday. Local sources indicate the destruction was timed to maximize economic disruption and cut off border communities from essential trade.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that the vehicle was moving between Nuku and Woro when the blast occurred. Wasiu Abiodun, the Police Public Relations Officer, noted that the bridge was damaged by the hoodlums during ongoing security operations in the area. He confirmed that the driver and all seven passengers died instantly in the blast.
In the wake of the attack, the police and military have intensified clearance operations within the forest belt surrounding Borgu. Security forces remain on high alert to prevent further IED placements, while surveillance has been increased along the Luma-Babana-Agwara axis. Residents have been urged to remain vigilant as engineers assess the extent of the damage to the bridge.
The incident underscores the growing threat of roadside warfare in the state, as bandits and terrorists increasingly turn to IEDs to stall security advances and isolate rural populations.
