Residents of Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso communities in Borgu Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State are reeling after a deadly assault by suspected bandits, which left six people dead and a police station destroyed.
The attack reportedly began late Friday night in Tungan-Makeri, where heavily armed men stormed the community, firing sporadically and setting several homes ablaze. Eyewitnesses said the assailants, estimated to number over 200, operated for hours, causing widespread panic and forcing residents to flee to neighbouring villages.
A resident of nearby Zagatina village described seeing dozens of motorcycles transporting the attackers. “I counted about 41 motorcycles, each carrying two or three persons. Some even had women and children with them. I quickly hid in the bush as they passed,” he said.
By the end of the assault, six people were reportedly killed, several houses destroyed, and many families displaced. The attackers moved on to Konkoso in the early hours of Saturday, where they reportedly set a police station on fire, escalating tension across the district.
Residents described the raid as brazen, noting the lack of a visible security presence during the attack. Some locals reported seeing a Nigerian Air Force aircraft over Tungan-Makeri after the initial assault, attributing the bandits’ eventual withdrawal to aerial surveillance.
Confirming the incident, Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the attack began around 3:00 a.m. via the Shafachi district. He confirmed six fatalities, several houses set ablaze, and an unspecified number of abductions. Abiodun added that the attackers advanced towards Konkoso, with further details still emerging.
The police stated that joint security teams have been deployed to the affected communities to assess the situation, rescue the abducted residents, and restore normalcy.
The incident underscores ongoing security challenges in parts of Borgu LGA, with residents urging the state government and security agencies to strengthen protection in vulnerable areas to prevent further attacks.
