Armed bandits on Tuesday afternoon ambushed the convoy of Hon. Jafaru Mohammad Ali Damisa, the Member representing Borgu and Agwara Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, killing a soldier and injuring several others in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The attack occurred along the Lumma–Babanna Road while the lawmaker was travelling to Babanna town for an official engagement. According to reports, the ambush caught his security team and aides by surprise.
Witnesses said the assailants, locally referred to as “Akurawa terrorists,” were heavily armed and had laid siege to the route between 1pm and 2pm, opening fire on the convoy and sparking panic among the lawmaker’s security escorts and supporters.
A source familiar with the incident disclosed that one soldier was killed instantly, while about eight others sustained varying degrees of injuries. “The wounded personnel were immediately evacuated to the General Hospital, New Bussa, where they are currently receiving treatment,” the source said.
At least four supporters of Hon. Damisa were also reportedly hit by stray bullets, though medical personnel confirmed that none of them died from the attack.
The gunmen were said to have vandalised no fewer than 11 vehicles in the convoy, riddling them with bullets and causing extensive damage. Security reinforcements from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) Babanna were later deployed to the scene after receiving a distress call, leading to a fierce exchange of gunfire.
The quick intervention of the troops forced the terrorists to retreat into the forest, enabling the safe evacuation of the lawmaker and his aides. All damaged vehicles have since been recovered from the scene.
As of press time, military authorities and the Niger State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement regarding the incident.
