Farmers in Niger State have uncovered three suspected explosive devices believed to have been planted by terrorists while going about their routine farming activities.
The devices were reportedly discovered on Tuesday in Ganaru community, Zugurma District of Mashegu Local Government Area of the state.
A community source said the farmers were on their way to their farms when they noticed the explosive devices planted by the roadside and immediately raised the alarm.
Confirming the development, the Chairman of Mashegu Local Government Area, Mr Jibrin Egade, said the area had been cordoned off to prevent possible explosions and casualties.
Egade expressed shock over the discovery of such dangerous devices in a community that had not previously experienced major security challenges, noting that residents were thrown into panic.
He added that security agencies had been alerted for immediate action.
The Commissioner of Police in Niger State, Mr Adamu Elleman, also confirmed the incident, saying the command had deployed explosive ordnance disposal experts to the scene to assess and safely neutralist the device.
Elleman clarified that preliminary findings indicated the discovery of one explosive device, contrary to claims by villagers that three were found.
He urged residents to remain calm and continue their lawful activities, assuring them that experts were handling the situation professionally.
The discovery comes barely two days after terrorists reportedly killed 42 persons in Borgu Local Government Area of the state.
Meanwhile, as residents of Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas continue to grapple with the aftermath of last Saturday’s attack on traders at Kasunwa Deji market, a former Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism in Niger State and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Mr Jonathan Vatsa, has called for the immediate establishment of a military base and the deployment of marine police in Agwara Local Government Area.
Vatsa said the persistent security challenges confronting Niger State and neighboring states required urgent, decisive and strategic intervention by the Federal Government.
According to him, the situation has exceeded the capacity of the state government, stressing the need for federal support to effectively address the growing insecurity.
He noted that recurring incidents of banditry, kidnapping and violent attacks, including the tragic events at St. Mary’s Catholic Missionary School in Papiri, underscored the urgency of establishing a Nigerian military base in Agwara, alongside the deployment of marine police units.
Vatsa explained that Agwara Local Government Area occupies a critical strategic position along the River Niger, serving as a natural corridor linking Niger, Kwara and Kebbi states.
He said intelligence and security reports indicated that criminal elements frequently exploited the River Niger as an escape and transit route after carrying out attacks on communities, schools and travelers.
According to him, the river has increasingly become a security blind spot, enabling armed groups to evade land-based security operations.
“This vulnerability was clearly exposed during the attack on Papiri community, where assailants used riverine routes to perpetrate violence and retreat beyond the reach of conventional security forces,” he said.
Vatsa argued that establishing a military base in the area would help secure the River Niger corridor, deny terrorists access to water routes used for escape and logistics, and provide rapid-response capabilities to incidents across riverine communities in Niger State and neighboring Kwara and Kebbi states.
He added that such a move would also protect critical infrastructure, including schools, markets, farming communities and transport routes along the river.
Vatsa warned that continued insecurity along the River Niger threatened lives, agricultural productivity, interstate commerce, education and national cohesion.
“A secured riverine environment will restore confidence, attract investment, boost economic activities and reaffirm the Federal Government’s commitment to protecting every Nigerian, regardless of location,” he said.
