Over 50 Terrorists on Motorbikes Attack APC Rep Member’s Convoy in Niger, Kill 6 Soldiers
By Henryrich Ojo

In a fresh wave of insecurity threatening Nigeria’s north-central region, more than 50 armed terrorists reportedly launched a coordinated attack on the convoy of a federal lawmaker from the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Niger State on Tuesday, killing at least six soldiers and injuring several others.

The brazen assault, which occurred along the Kontagora–Mariga highway, has sent shockwaves across the state and reignited public concern over the growing audacity of armed groups operating freely in parts of the North. According to eyewitnesses, the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorbikes, wielding sophisticated weapons and engaging security escorts attached to the lawmaker’s convoy in a fierce gun battle that lasted more than 30 minutes.

A Deadly Ambush

The lawmaker, whose identity was confirmed by security sources as Hon. Idris Abdullahi Garba, represents Kontagora/Mariga/Mashegu/Wushishi Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives. He was reportedly on his way to his hometown to attend a series of political meetings when his convoy came under attack.

Eyewitnesses said the convoy ran into an ambush near Bangi Junction, a known flashpoint of terrorist activities. The attackers, divided into groups, opened heavy gunfire from both sides of the highway, catching the security team off guard. “It was like a war zone,” one survivor told News World. “They came in large numbers, each motorbike carrying two or three men, shooting sporadically. Six soldiers were killed instantly, and several vehicles in the convoy were riddled with bullets.”

The soldiers, drawn from the Nigerian Army’s 31 Artillery Brigade, reportedly fought gallantly to repel the attackers, managing to extract the lawmaker to safety after reinforcements arrived from Kontagora town. However, by the time the gunfire subsided, six soldiers were dead, and at least four aides to the lawmaker sustained injuries.

Army Confirms Attack

The Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the incident in a brief statement on Wednesday morning. He described the attack as “a cowardly ambush by fleeing terrorists” and vowed that the military would hunt down the perpetrators.

“Our troops paid the supreme price defending a citizen and a serving lawmaker of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read. “We salute their bravery and assure Nigerians that the criminals responsible for this dastardly act will be neutralized. Operations are ongoing in the area to track down the attackers and restore calm.”

Security sources revealed that the ambush might have been planned in retaliation for recent military raids on terrorist hideouts in Mariga and Mashegu local government areas, where several militants were killed and others arrested.

Political Shock and Condemnation

The news of the attack has triggered a flurry of reactions from political leaders, with many condemning the growing insecurity across Niger State and other parts of northern Nigeria.

Governor Mohammed Umar Bago of Niger State, in a statement issued by his media aide, described the attack as “barbaric and unacceptable,” calling for intensified military operations to flush out bandits from the state. “These enemies of peace cannot continue to terrorize our communities and destroy lives without consequence,” the governor said. “We will continue to collaborate with the federal government and security agencies to secure our people.”

The APC National Working Committee also condemned the attack, expressing solidarity with Hon. Garba and the families of the fallen soldiers. The party’s National Publicity Secretary, Felix Morka, urged President Donald Trump’s administration, which has maintained strong security cooperation with Nigeria, to support the country’s counterterrorism efforts through intelligence sharing and logistics.

Niger — The Expanding Battlefield

Niger State has, in recent years, become one of the major flashpoints of terrorist and bandit activity in Nigeria. The North-central state shares borders with Kaduna, Zamfara, and Kebbi—three states that have witnessed frequent attacks from armed groups linked to Islamic extremists and local criminal gangs.

Experts believe that the state’s vast forests, rugged terrain, and weak security presence have made it an easy refuge for terrorists fleeing intensified military bombardment in the North-west. In 2024 alone, more than 150 people were reportedly killed in separate attacks in Shiroro, Rafi, and Munya local governments.

Security analysts also warn that the use of motorbikes by terrorists continues to give them mobility advantages over security forces, especially in remote areas where military patrols are limited.

Federal Government’s Response

The federal government has since ordered a full-scale investigation into the attack. The Minister of Defence, Bello Matawalle, described the incident as “a painful reminder of the sacrifices our armed forces make daily.” He assured that new strategic operations were being launched in Niger, Zamfara, and Kaduna to dismantle terrorist networks.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu, in a message delivered by his media adviser, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of the soldiers, commending their bravery and reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ending insecurity. “We shall not be cowed by terrorists or their sponsors,” the statement read. “The blood of our soldiers will not be shed in vain.”

Families in Mourning

As the nation mourns the six fallen soldiers, their families have been thrown into grief. Many residents of Kontagora and Mariga communities have called for stronger security presence and the deployment of additional troops to the area.

“The soldiers died protecting a representative of the people,” said a local community leader. “The least we can do is ensure their deaths are not in vain by demanding lasting peace.”

For now, the federal lawmaker remains under tight security protection, while troops continue to comb the forests of Niger State in search of the fleeing terrorists.

As the country battles this wave of violence, one thing remains clear — the war against terror in Nigeria is far from over, and the courage of those on the frontlines will continue to define the nation’s path to peace.

— NewsWorld