No fewer than eight persons were killed on Monday when suspected terrorists detonated an improvised explosive device along Luma Road in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The attackers also reportedly destroyed a major bridge linking the Luma–Babana–Agwara communities, cutting off a vital route used by residents travelling to the Babana border market, which holds every Monday.

The destruction of the bridge has left residents stranded and disrupted economic activities in the area.

It was gathered that the attackers detonated additional explosive devices in other communities, forcing residents to flee for safety.

A source from the area told Vanguard the incidents occurred in the early hours of Monday, with the bombing of the bridge taking place around 5am.

The source said, “In the early hours today (Monday), bandits stormed Borgu Local Government Area of the state and bombed the Luma–Babana bridge.”

According to the source, the destruction of the bridge has prevented villagers from accessing neighbouring communities, particularly the Babana Monday Market.

“The bridge has stopped the villagers from crossing to other parts of the communities, especially to the Babana Monday Market to trade,” the source added.

The source further disclosed that explosions were recorded in several locations across the area.

“Apart from bombing the bridge, the bandits were said to have also detonated bombs between Rafingiwa and Babana, and another at Woro and Kaiama, thereby making residents of the communities flee the area,” the source stated.

The Chairman of Borgu Local Government Area, Alhaji Mohammed Nasir Abdullahi, confirmed the incident when contacted.

“There was actually an attack by the bandits and we are trying to verify the magnitude. A bridge was actually damaged,” he said.

He added that officials had already been deployed to assess the situation.

“Already, we have sent people to the area to verify things for us,” Abdullahi stated.