Suspected armed bandits have launched a series of attacks on communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, leaving many residents dead, several abducted and properties destroyed.
The attacks reportedly began in the early hours of Friday in Tunga-Makeri village, where at least six people were killed and several houses set ablaze.
Local sources said the gunmen later advanced to Paso and other nearby settlements after meeting little resistance, torching additional homes and a police outpost.
An eyewitness, Mohammed Ibrahim, said the assailants moved from one village to another, unleashing violence on residents.
“They attacked multiple communities. After destroying homes in one village, they moved again to Pisa and Konkoso. So far, more than two dozen people have been killed,” he said.
According to residents, at least 26 deaths have been recorded across the affected communities, though the exact casualty figure remains uncertain. Several people were also reportedly taken away by the attackers.
The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that security operatives had been deployed to the area.
Police spokesman Wasiu Abiodun said the command received a distress report early Saturday morning about the invasion.
“At about 6 a.m. on February 14, information was received that suspected bandits had attacked Tunga-Makeri village around 3 a.m. Sadly, six persons lost their lives,” he said.
He added that houses were burned and an unspecified number of residents abducted, while the attackers were believed to have moved towards nearby communities.
“A joint security team has been mobilised to the area to restore calm, assess the damage and rescue victims. Further details are still being gathered,” Abiodun stated.
