Scores Feared Dead, Several Abducted as Gunmen Raid Niger Communities

Multiple communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State have been thrown into mourning after armed bandits carried out coordinated attacks in the early hours of Saturday, killing residents, abducting several others, and destroying homes. The violence, which affected Tunga-Makeri, Konsoko, and Pissa villages, left families displaced and properties reduced to ashes, marking one of the latest waves of insecurity in the region.

Residents said the attackers stormed the communities in large numbers, unleashing gunfire and causing widespread panic as villagers fled for safety. The assaults began before dawn and continued for several hours, leaving casualties and uncertainty in their wake.

Coordinated Attacks Leave Trail of Death and Destruction

According to residents, the first attack occurred around 3:00 a.m. in Tunga-Makeri village, located in Konkoso Ward, where at least six people were killed. Survivors said the gunmen moved methodically, targeting homes and shooting at anyone in sight. Several buildings were also set ablaze during the invasion.

Witnesses reported that the attackers later advanced to Konsoko and Pissa communities at about 6:00 a.m., firing sporadically and abducting an unknown number of residents. One resident described the scale of the attack as overwhelming, claiming that as many as 200 armed men were involved.

The coordinated nature of the assault left the affected villages in disarray, with families forced to flee and others still searching for missing relatives. The communities, located roughly 200 kilometres from the Nigerian Air Force base in New Bussa, were left largely defenceless during the raid.

Security Forces Respond as Rescue Efforts Continue

The Niger State Police Command confirmed the attack, stating that six people were killed in Tunga-Makeri, while several houses were burned and others were abducted. Police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun said authorities received reports of the invasion early Saturday morning and immediately mobilised security personnel.

He added that the gunmen later moved toward other nearby villages, including Konsoko, though full details of casualties and abductions in those areas were still being verified.

Security agencies, including joint tactical teams, have since been deployed to the affected communities to restore order and assess the extent of the damage. Efforts are ongoing to locate and rescue those who were kidnapped during the attacks.

The latest incident underscores the persistent security challenges facing rural communities across parts of northern Nigeria, where residents remain vulnerable to violent raids despite ongoing military and police operations.

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