Armed bandits have killed six people in Tungan-Makeri and set a police station ablaze in the nearby Konkoso district, both located in the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Police authorities in Niger State confirmed that the incident occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday when armed men invaded Tungan-Makeri village through Shafachi District in Borgu LGA. The police spokesman for the state, Wasiu Abiodun, reported that several houses were set ablaze by the assailants during the attack, which also resulted in the abduction of an unspecified number of residents.
The assault on Tungan-Makeri reportedly began on Friday when over 200 armed men stormed the village, shooting sporadically and setting multiple houses on fire. Residents claim the attackers operated for hours, leaving six people dead and many others displaced.
An eyewitness from Zagatina village, along the attackers’ route, reported seeing dozens of motorcycles transporting the armed men. “They passed through my village, and I counted about 41 motorcycles, with two or three people on each, including women and children on some,” the resident stated. “I quickly hid myself in the bush when I noticed them coming because they passed through the back of my house.”
Following their assault on Tungan-Makeri, the bandits reportedly moved into Konkoso on Saturday morning, where they operated without a visible security presence. Residents described Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso as major towns in Borgu LGA, raising concerns about the attackers’ growing boldness. Reports indicate that an Air Force aircraft was sighted around Tungan-Makeri after the initial attack, leading some residents to believe this prompted the bandits to withdraw.
In response to the assault, joint security teams have been mobilised to the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment, while efforts to rescue the abducted victims and restore normalcy are ongoing. The incident has once again highlighted security concerns in parts of Borgu LGA, with residents urging for urgent reinforcement to prevent further attacks.
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