ISWAP terrorists kill immigration officer in Niger, set body ablaze

Terrorists suspected to be members of the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) launched a deadly attack on an immigration outpost in Lumma Sanke, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing a Superintendent of Immigration identified simply as Suleiman.

The incident occurred on Saturday evening along the Babanna-Wawa road, where the officer was stationed. According to local sources, the attackers arrived in large numbers, overpowered the outpost, and gruesomely killed the officer before setting his body and their patrol vehicle ablaze.

In a coordinated assault, the terrorists also targeted a nearby mobile police border checkpoint in Luma Ba’are. While the attack was confirmed, there were no immediate details regarding casualties from that location.

Security forces are yet to issue an official statement, but the attack has heightened fears in the border communities already plagued by insecurity.

Patrol vehicles, motorcycles, and private vehicles belonging to police officers were reportedly burnt during the attack.

Residents told our correspondent that the attacks on the two locations were carried out simultaneously within a short time interval.

Daily Trust gathered that another immigration personnel, identified as Ahmed, has been missing since the incident.

Insiders in the Immigration Service confirmed the attack to Daily Trust.

One of the sources said, “The outpost is called Luma Immigration Service Patrol Outpost and is located on Babanna-Wawa road.

“When the terrorists carried out the attack, Officer Suleiman was killed, and his body was set ablaze. Another personnel, Ahmed, has not been seen, and there is no information about him yet.”

Another source added, “The attacks were carried out at the Nigeria Immigration Outpost, Luma-Sanke, and the Mopol Checkpoint at Luma-Ba’are, Borgu, Niger State. This is becoming unbearable. Terrorists are having a field day in the area.”

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to investigate and respond, but had not done so at the time of filing this report.