Manny Ita –
Dozens of residents are feared killed following coordinated attacks by heavily armed bandits on several communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, in one of the deadliest incidents reported in the area in recent months.
Local sources said the assailants stormed the affected villages at dawn, shooting indiscriminately, burning homes, and abducting an unspecified number of people, including women and children. Survivors described scenes of panic as residents fled into nearby forests and waterways to escape the attackers. “They came very early in the morning when people were still asleep. Anyone they saw, they shot,” a community member said, adding that many victims were unable to escape.
Authorities confirmed that security operatives had been deployed to the area, though the exact casualty figure remained unclear as search and rescue efforts continued. Officials said the remote terrain and communication challenges have slowed emergency response operations. “Security forces are currently conducting clearance operations and working to restore normalcy,” a government source stated.
Residents reported that several houses and food stores were set ablaze during the raid, worsening humanitarian conditions in communities already grappling with displacement and food insecurity. Some villagers also alleged that the attackers operated for hours without immediate resistance, raising concerns about the adequacy of security coverage in rural areas.
Borgu LGA, which borders forested zones stretching across parts of the northwest and north-central regions, has experienced repeated incursions by armed groups in recent years. Security analysts say the area’s difficult terrain and proximity to inter-state routes make it vulnerable to bandit movements and cross-border criminal activity.
State authorities urged residents to remain calm while assuring that additional security reinforcements were being mobilized to prevent further attacks. “Government is committed to protecting lives and property, and those responsible will be brought to justice,” an official said.
The latest assault underscores the persistent security challenges facing parts of northern Nigeria, where banditry, kidnapping, and rural violence continue to threaten civilian populations despite ongoing military operations. Humanitarian groups warn that continued attacks could trigger fresh displacement and deepen an already fragile security situation in the region.
