Residents of several communities in Borgu Local Government Area, Niger State, have raised alarms over a prolonged bandit assault that reportedly began in the early hours of Saturday, leaving multiple settlements devastated and forcing residents to flee for safety.
Eyewitnesses described the attacks as starting around 6:00 a.m. and lasting more than ten hours, with little to no visible military intervention during the violence.
“One of our communities was under attack at Borgu Local Government Area since 6 a.m. on Saturday but nothing was done about it; no military support,” a resident said. “They attacked three communities, including Tungadaji, where they reportedly slaughtered 48 people.”
While Tungadaji was reported to have suffered heavy casualties, independent verification of the figures was not immediately available at the time of reporting. Residents described the overall situation as dire, with attackers burning houses and shooting indiscriminately.
“We truly do not know the full situation as it stands now,” another resident said. “We cannot yet ascertain the number of people that the bandits killed or kidnapped. The entire community is in fear and confusion.”
Witnesses reported widespread destruction of property, with multiple homes set ablaze across the affected areas.
“Many houses have been burnt across the town. No matter where you are within the community, thick smoke is rising from the buildings the attackers set on fire,” the resident added. “The destruction is widespread, and the attackers are moving freely from one area to another, setting homes ablaze and shooting sporadically.”
The violence reportedly spread to Konkoso town, where residents said the attackers remained active at the time of reporting.
“In Konkoso town, the bandits are burning houses. Residents remain trapped in fear as the attackers continue their rampage. Many people have fled their homes while others remain in hiding, uncertain of what will happen next,” a resident said.
Earlier, on Friday night, suspected Boko Haram fighters launched coordinated assaults across communities in Borgu and Agwara Local Government Areas, reportedly killing several residents and setting houses and shops ablaze. Eyewitnesses said the attackers moved systematically from town to town and village to village, beginning in Konkoso, where at least a dozen people were killed in a single attack, before advancing to Pissa, Zango, and Tungan Makeri.
This latest wave of violence follows a previous attack on January 10, 2025, when bandits targeted Wawa community in Borgu LGA, killing four residents in Damala village and stealing livestock during the raid.
The repeated attacks highlight the ongoing insecurity in Borgu Local Government Area, with communities living under constant threat of banditry and violence.
