By Headlinenews.news Desk | Security & Counter-Terrorism Report.
At least 30 persons have been reported killed following a deadly terrorist assault on rural communities in Niger State, in what security authorities describe as one of the latest escalations in Nigeria’s widening insecurity crisis.
Local sources said the attackers stormed the affected settlements in the evening hours of February 12th 2026 which was reported on February 13th 2026, unleashing coordinated violence that left dozens dead and several others injured.
Eyewitness accounts described scenes of extreme brutality, with residents caught unprepared as armed assailants reportedly moved from house to house during the assault.
Some community members alleged that victims were hacked with machetes in addition to gunfire — though these claims remain subject to independent verification by security authorities.
Helicopter Sightings Alleged.
Adding to the controversy surrounding the incident are unverified claims by residents that a helicopter was seen hovering over the general area while the attack was ongoing.
Witnesses said the aircraft’s presence raised fear and confusion among villagers, though no official agency has confirmed any aerial deployment linked to the assault.
Security analysts caution that such sightings require careful investigation, noting that both military reconnaissance flights and criminal misinformation often circulate in the aftermath of attacks.
Security Response.
State security officials confirmed that joint forces have been mobilised to the affected axis, with search-and-rescue operations ongoing.
Assessment teams are also working to determine:
• Exact casualty figures
• Number of abducted persons
• Property destruction scale
• Perpetrator identities.
Niger State remains one of Nigeria’s frontline theatres of banditry and terrorist infiltration, given its vast forest corridors linking North-West and North-Central conflict zones.
Rising Pattern of Rural Massacres.
The latest killings underscore the persistent vulnerability of remote agrarian communities, where response time from security formations is often delayed by terrain and logistical constraints.
Counter-terrorism
observers warn that armed groups increasingly exploit:
• Forest safe havens
• Porous inter-state borders
• Limited rural surveillance
Authorities say further details will emerge as investigations progress, while community leaders have called for reinforced military deployments and aerial monitoring to prevent recurrence.
The National Patriots Movement strongly condemns the killing of over 30 citizens in Niger State and calls on the Federal Government, military, and security agencies to investigate the incident with the utmost seriousness. Authorities must also thoroughly verify eyewitness claims regarding the presence of a helicopter during the attack. Nigerians deserve justice, transparency, and reinforced security measures to prevent recurrence and restore confidence in the nation’s protection architecture.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report
