The Niger State government has blamed terrorists for the bombing of a bridge in Lumma community, Borgu local government area, attributing the attack to their fear of ongoing military operations under “Operation Savannah Shield,” launched by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, ENigeria Newspaper has learnt.
According to an exclusive report by LEADERSHIP, the state’s Commissioner of Homeland Security, Hon. Maurice, confirmed that the ministry had received reports of the incident and moved quickly to relocate vulnerable residents.
“Based on the report we received from experts in the field, suspected terrorists were responsible, trying to scare the people, and scared of the ongoing ‘Operation Savannah Shield’. We are in touch with the local government chairman and the community leaders, so the situation is under control,” he said.
He added that the government is working closely with security operatives to mitigate risks posed by the bridge bombing and pledged continued support for the military and other security agencies in ridding the area of terrorist activities.
“The government will continue to be supportive of security operatives and the military to ensure that the area was rid of terrorists and their activities,” he stated, urging public understanding. According to records so far, there have been no reported fatalities from the bridge attack.
Meanwhile, police have confirmed the bombing, stating that heavily armed men, suspected to be bandits, targeted the bridge connecting Luma-Babanna and Agwara to disrupt military operations in the Kainji Lake National Park Forest.
“On 23rd March 2026 at about 6.3am, a report received revealed that on the same date at about 2 am, suspected terrorists within the park forest used an explosive device and bombed a bridge located along Luma road, Borgu LGA connecting Luma-Babana-Agwara communities,” said Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun.
Abiodun explained that the bandits carried out the bombing to frustrate ongoing joint security mobilizations in the area.
“It was discovered that the bridge was damaged by the hoodlums during security operations in the area. However, monitoring continues while clearance operation is intensified,” he added.
Recall that ENigeria Newspaper reported that the attack occurred around 2 a.m. on Monday, effectively blocking residents of Wawa-Lumma from accessing Agwara and other key stretches near the forest where bandits had recently attacked border communities. The report also revealed that the bandits had previously threatened the people of Papiri to pay N150 million to prevent a deadly attack, which they followed up with the bombing and placement of roadside explosives.
In another tragic development, between Nuku and Woro communities, a vehicle carrying passengers to Kofanti Market hit one of the planted explosives, killing all eight occupants. Local sources confirmed that residents are living in fear due to the bandits’ new tactic of planting explosives along routes leading into the forest.
The state government continues to coordinate with security agencies to clear the area, protect residents, and ensure military operations proceed uninterrupted.
