Eight dead in terrorist IED attack on Niger–Kwara border road

At least eight people were killed after a vehicle reportedly ran over an improvised explosive device (IED) planted by suspected terrorists along a rural road near the Niger–Kwara border. The incident, which occurred early Monday, followed the bombing of a bridge along Luma Road in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, a route linking the communities of Luma, Babana and Agwara.

Security sources said the attackers had earlier used a similar explosive device to destroy the bridge, a key connection for residents and traders travelling to the Babana border market, a major commercial hub that opens every Monday. The vehicle, travelling between Nuku and Woro, later struck another IED planted along the road, triggering an explosion that killed all eight occupants, including the driver.

Security clearance operations intensified

Niger State Police Command spokesman Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the bombing of the bridge and said security operatives had intensified clearance operations in the area. “On March 23 2026, at about 6.30am, a report revealed that suspected terrorists operating within the Park Forest used an explosive device at about 2am to bomb a bridge along Luma Road in Borgu Local Government Area,” he said.

Abiodun said the bridge was severely damaged during the attack, while monitoring and clearance operations by security personnel were continuing. Kwara State Governor chief press secretary Rafiu Ajakaye also confirmed an IED-related explosion along a road near the Woro community in the Kaiama Local Government Area of the state.

Casualties reported in Kaiama local government

Ajakaye said the device detonated as a vehicle passed through the area on Monday morning, resulting in casualties. “The IED incident occurred on a road a distance from Woro. The device went off as a vehicle rode past it on Monday morning,” he said.

A male victim died instantly, while a woman travelling with a child sustained injuries and was taken to hospital for treatment. The child escaped unhurt. Kaiama Local Government Area chairman media special assistant ZulQharnain Shero Musa also confirmed the explosion, noting that preliminary reports suggested the device may have been planted by suspected insurgents.

Tension heights in border communities

The latest incident has heightened tension in the border communities, which are still recovering from a violent attack in February when suspected armed groups invaded Woro, killing several residents, destroying homes and forcing many families to flee.

Residents have renewed calls for increased security presence and coordinated operations to curb the growing threat of insurgent activities in the Niger–Kwara border axis.