Residents of Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso communities in Borgu Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State are counting their losses following a deadly attack by suspected bandits that left six people dead and a police station destroyed.
The attack reportedly commenced late Friday night in Tungan-Makeri, where gunmen armed with sophisticated weapons invaded the area, shooting intermittently and burning down several homes. Witnesses said the assailants, believed to be over 200 in number, operated for several hours, triggering panic and forcing villagers to escape to nearby communities.
A resident of Zagatina village, situated along the route taken by the attackers, recounted seeing numerous motorcycles transporting the gunmen. “I counted about 41 motorcycles, each carrying two or three persons. Some even had women and children with them. When I realised they were approaching, I quickly hid in the bush as they passed behind my house,” he said.
Following the assault on Tungan-Makeri, six people were confirmed dead, many houses were reduced to ashes, and several families were displaced. The attackers reportedly proceeded to Konkoso in the early hours of Saturday, where they allegedly set a police station on fire, destroying facilities and escalating fear across the area.
Community members described the invasion as daring, pointing out that there was no noticeable security presence during the attack. Reports also indicated that a Nigerian Air Force aircraft was later sighted over Tungan-Makeri, with some locals suggesting that aerial surveillance may have prompted the attackers to retreat.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, stated that the command received information that around 3:00 a.m., suspected bandits entered Tungan-Makeri through the Shafachi district in Borgu LGA.
He disclosed that six persons lost their lives, several houses were torched, and an unspecified number of residents were taken away. He further noted that the attackers were reported to have advanced towards Konkoso, though complete details were still unclear.
The police spokesperson added that combined security forces have been deployed to the affected communities to assess the damage, while efforts are ongoing to rescue those abducted and restore normalcy.
The incident underscores the continuing security challenges in parts of Borgu LGA, as residents urge the state government and security agencies to reinforce protection in vulnerable communities to prevent further attacks.