BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS
Armed bandits have killed six people and set a police station ablaze in separate attacks on Tungan-Makeri and the nearby Konkoso district in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
Police authorities said the violence began in the early hours of Saturday at about 3:00 a.m., when heavily armed men stormed Tungan-Makeri through the Shafachi District axis. Several houses were reportedly burned during the assault, while an unspecified number of residents were abducted.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, noting that the attackers set multiple buildings on fire and carried out kidnappings.
Local accounts indicated that the attack may have started earlier on Friday, when a large group of armed men—estimated by residents to be over 200—invaded the village, firing sporadically and causing widespread panic.
Residents said the assailants operated for hours, leaving six people dead and many others displaced.
An eyewitness from Zagatina village, located along the attackers’ route, recounted seeing dozens of motorcycles conveying the gunmen.
“They passed through my village, and I counted about 41 motorcycles, with two or three persons on each. Some even had women and children,” the resident said.
“I quickly hid in the bush when I realised they were approaching because they came through the back of my house.”
Following the raid on Tungan-Makeri, the bandits reportedly advanced to Konkoso on Saturday morning, where they set a police station on fire. Residents claimed there was no immediate security presence during the attack.
The incidents have heightened anxiety in the area, with community members describing both Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso as significant settlements in Borgu LGA.
There were also reports that a Nigerian Air Force aircraft was sighted over Tungan-Makeri after the initial attack. Some residents believe the aerial patrol may have pressured the attackers to retreat from the village.
Meanwhile, joint security teams have been deployed to the affected communities for an on-the-spot assessment. Authorities said efforts are underway to rescue abducted victims and restore normalcy.
The latest attacks have once again raised concerns over insecurity in parts of Borgu LGA, as residents called for increased security presence to prevent further violence.
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