Mass Kidnaps of Commuters on Kontagora-Minna Highway
By Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas
(Kaduna) The Nigerian military on Wednesday strongly refuted claims circulating in some mediahttps://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/dhq-denies-terrorists-seizure-of-niger-military-camp/%3famp outlets that Boko Haram terrorists have captured its sprawling Infantry training facility in Kontagora, Niger State.
Maj General Edward Buba, Director of Defence Media Operations, dismissed the reports as “entirely false and misleading,” stating that what locals observed was merely the movement of herders with their cattle through the area. “Our training facilities in Kontagora remain fully operational and under our control,” he said in a statement referenced by Punch.
However, local sources paint a more complex picture of the security situation.
True, the attackers have not been the insurgency of Boko Haram (Western Learning Forbidden), but scores of radicalized bandit-terrorists have killed more than 40 commuters over the weekend, according to former Niger Security Commissioner Emmanuel Umar in an interview with TruthNigeria.
The terrorists were still kidnapping on the same highway Thursday morning, Emmanuel said. According to Emmanuel’s sources, the terrorists kidnapped groups of commuters at 10 a.m. in the morning and 3 p.m. in the afternoon.
The terrorist-bandits are controlled by notorious bandit kingpins known as Kachalla Ali and Ali Kawaje who are based in Zamfara State, according to Umar.
The camp in question, the Nagwamase military cantonment in Kontagora, is the headquarters of the Kontagora Local Government area of the state and is said to be the largest infantry training center in Nigeria.
Niger State Assemblyman Abdullahi Isah told the state legislature on Oct. 29 in plenary session that Boko Haram had taken over the army’s chief infantry training center communities – a claim TruthNigeria cannot confirm. But Catholic priest Fr. Fidelis Gaiya in Kontagora tells TruthNigeria that many more than 23 communities have fled the area under attack by the bandit-terrorists.
“While the soldiers maintain firm control of their perimeter, the situation in surrounding communities is concerning,” he said.
The cleric noted that the number of evacuated communities exceeds the reported figure of 23, though he couldn’t provide an exact count. “The locals are fleeing in significant numbers. They don’t differentiate between Boko Haram and bandits anymore – both groups have been operating in the area, and for the villagers, the terror is the same,” Fr. Gaiya said.
This latest development echoes previous warnings about the infiltration of terrorist groups into Niger State. In April 2021, then-Governor Abubakar Sani Bello raised alarm about Boko Haram’s presence in Shiroro Local Government Area, approximately 30 miles from Kontagora. “I am confirming that there are Boko Haram elements around Shiroro local government… They have hoisted their flags in Kaure, which means they have taken over the territory,” Bello stated at the time (Premium Times, April 26, 2021).
Dr. Walid Abdullahi, a security expert based in Birnin-Kebbi, notes that the situation reflects a broader pattern of terrorist expansion. “The lines between bandits and Boko Haram have become increasingly blurred in Niger State. We’re seeing evidence of collaboration and knowledge transfer between these groups,” he told TruthNigeria.
While the military maintains control of its facilities, security sources speaking on condition of anonymity confirm they are strengthening defenses around key installations. “There’s an understanding that the threat is evolving. The base camps are secure, but we’re enhancing our preparedness,” one senior military officer revealed.
Local government officials present yet another perspective. “The situation is fluid,” says a senior local government official who requested anonymity. “While there’s no immediate threat to the military installation, we’re seeing increased movement of armed groups in the general area.”
Former Security Commissioner Umar says the vast areas of forest surrounding the military barracks and facilities provide cover for armed criminals to hide as they plan attacks. “The area around the training center has been a nightmare for years,” he said.
The Defense Headquarters has repeatedly assured the public of its commitment to securing the region. “Our operations are ongoing, and we continue to degrade the capabilities of all terrorist elements in the area,” Brigadier General Nwachukwu stated.
The Members of the State Assembly reportedly passed a bill on Oct. 29 calling on the State Governor to lobby the federal government to send additional forces from the army to intervene in Niger State.
As the military maintains its position and local sources report ongoing concerns, the situation in Kontagora highlights the complex nature of Nigeria’s security challenges. The differing narratives between official sources and local accounts underscore the difficulties in accurately assessing and addressing the evolving security landscape in North-Central Nigeria.
Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas are conflict reporters for Truth Nigeria.
