By Our Correspondent
A deadly ambush by suspected Lakurawa terrorists on the convoy of a federal lawmaker has left one soldier dead and several others injured in Niger State, North Central Nigeria.
The attack occurred on Tuesday afternoon along the Lumma Babanna Road in Borgu Local Government Area when the convoy of Hon Jafaru Mohammad Ali Damisa, the lawmaker representing Borgu and Agwara Federal Constituency, came under heavy gunfire from the armed assailants.
Eyewitnesses said the terrorists opened fire on the convoy without warning, riddling about eleven vehicles with bullets. A soldier attached to the lawmaker’s security team was killed instantly, while around eight others sustained gunshot wounds. They were later taken to the General Hospital in New Bussa for treatment.
Sources also confirmed that at least four civilian supporters of the lawmaker were hit by stray bullets during the attack but survived. The quick response of troops from the Forward Operating Base in Babanna prevented greater casualties, as reinforcements engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle and forced them to retreat into the nearby forest.
The Lakurawa group, believed to be responsible for a series of violent raids across parts of Niger, Kebbi, and Sokoto States, has intensified its operations in recent months. Security analysts describe the Lakurawa as a heavily armed network of terrorists and bandits with possible jihadist connections.
In March 2025, the same group was blamed for killing thirteen villagers and burning eight communities in Kebbi State, showing the growing confidence of their operations despite military offensives in the region.
The latest ambush has raised new concerns about the safety of government officials and the worsening insecurity in Nigerias northwestern and north central regions. Attacks targeting public officials are seen as an attempt by armed groups to undermine government authority and spread fear among local communities.
As of press time, neither the Nigerian Army nor the Niger State Government had issued an official statement on the incident. Security sources confirmed that a coordinated operation has been launched to track down the attackers.
The attack adds to the list of security challenges facing Nigeria’s interior regions, where rural communities and major highways remain vulnerable to ambushes, kidnappings, and violent raids. It also highlights the urgent need for improved intelligence gathering, convoy protection, and better coordination among security agencies operating in high risk areas.
