The House of Representatives has condemned the armed ambush on the convoy of Hon. Jafaru Mohammed Ali, member representing Borgu and Agwara Federal Constituency of Niger State, describing the incident as a cowardly and tragic attack on democracy.
The incident occurred on Tuesday morning along the Lumma–Babanna road in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, when heavily armed bandits suspected to be members of the Lakurawa terrorist network opened fire on the lawmaker’s convoy. The attack reportedly left two soldiers dead and several others wounded.
According to eyewitnesses, the convoy was en route to Babanna for a constituency engagement when the assailants, who had laid ambush along a bushy stretch of the road, began shooting indiscriminately. The intense exchange of gunfire forced the convoy to scatter, leaving behind several vehicles riddled with bullets and damaged in the process.
Hon. Jafaru Mohammed Ali, who narrowly escaped the attack unhurt, was later evacuated from the area by security operatives. Reinforcement from the Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Babanna and the Niger State Police Command arrived swiftly at the scene, engaging the attackers and forcing them to retreat into the forest.
Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said a report of the attack was received and the joint security team responded immediately, successfully repelling the ambush. He added that investigation was ongoing to track down the fleeing assailants.
The attack, which has since drawn widespread condemnation, underscores the deteriorating security situation in parts of Niger State, particularly around border communities near Kainji National Park and the Republic of Benin. The area has long been identified as a hotspot for bandit and terrorist activity, with limited security presence across its vast terrain.
Reacting to the development, the House of Representatives in a statement described the incident as “a cowardly and barbaric act against a servant of the people,” while mourning the fallen soldiers and commending the bravery of the security operatives who repelled the attack. The House also called on security agencies to intensify operations in Niger’s border corridors and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The attack on Hon. Jafaru’s convoy is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting public officials and their escorts in northern Nigeria. It further highlights the growing boldness of armed groups who now pose a direct threat not only to rural dwellers but to elected leaders carrying out their constitutional duties.
As of press time, the Defence Headquarters and the Niger State Government were yet to issue official statements on the attack, while the identities of the slain soldiers are being withheld pending notification of their families.
Security analysts say the ambush may mark a renewed offensive by cross-border terror cells operating between Nigeria and Benin, calling for enhanced intelligence sharing and aerial surveillance to secure Niger’s vulnerable highways.
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