Thousands of terrified residents from communities in Borgu and Agwara local government areas of Niger State fled into the Benin Republic on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, after terrorists renewed violent attacks on their villages, eyewitnesses and community sources confirmed.
The mass exodus reflects a deepening security and humanitarian crisis in the north-central region of Nigeria, where persistent raids have displaced scores of families. The attackers, described by residents as a large group riding on more than 70 motorcycles, stormed Konkoso and neighbouring settlements in the early hours, burning houses and spreading fear among villagers.
One resident said the terrorists had established a base in Konkoso after five days of sustained assault, forcing many families to abandon their homes and seek refuge in Segbana, a border town in Benin Republic. Fleeing villagers reported that the gunmen set further structures ablaze and continued their rampage despite the recent meeting between Niger State Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago and Kwara State Governor Abdulrahman Abdulrazaq in Minna to assess border security.
Many who escaped the violence said they felt abandoned, with security operatives absent from the conflict zone. Humanitarian organisations and government officials have warned that the ongoing attacks are contributing to Nigeria’s staggering displacement figures, with the United Nations estimating more than 3.7 million Nigerians internally displaced by violence nationwide. In addition to displacement, analysts say the attacks threaten food security and local economies as rural residents are forced from their livelihoods.