Suspected terrorists have reportedly blown up a bridge connecting several communities and major markets in Niger State, causing panic among residents and disrupting economic activities in the area.
Local sources said the incident occurred on Sunday evening along the Wawa–Luma–Guffanti road, a vital route used by traders and residents. The attackers, believed to be members of Boko Haram under the command of Mallam Sadiku, allegedly used an explosive device to destroy the bridge.
The road passes through the Kainji Lake National Park, an area that security reports say has become a base for two extremist groups Ansaru (also known as Mamuda) and Boko Haram.
Residents believe the timing of the attack was deliberate, aimed at crippling local trade and economic activities in the region.
“It happened just a day before the Babanna market,” a resident of Wawa told reporters during a phone interview.
A commercial driver, Ahmed Yusuf, who was transporting traders to Babanna on Monday morning, said the road had been completely cut off due to the explosion.
“No vehicle could pass because the bridge was split into two,” he explained, adding that only motorcycles were able to navigate through the debris beneath the damaged structure.
Abu Fudail, a resident of New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu Local Government Area, also shared a video of the destroyed bridge on social media. He described the incident as another attempt by terrorists to worsen the hardship faced by local communities.
According to him, about 90 percent of the major markets in the region depend on that road for access. The route also serves as an important link connecting parts of Niger State to Kebbi State and Kontagora through the River Niger, while also providing access to Babanna and even the Benin Republic.
Residents are now calling on authorities to urgently repair the bridge and strengthen security in the area to prevent further attacks.
