Bandits Kill 30 in Northwest Nigeria Villages, Residents Report
Armed assailants on motorbikes killed at least 30 people and burned houses and shops during raids on three villages in northwest Nigeria's Niger State early on Saturday, according to residents who escaped the violence. The attacks targeted villages in the Borgu local government area, near the border with Benin Republic, and are part of a surge in violence blamed on "bandits" who have carried out deadly assaults, abductions for ransom, and displaced communities across northern Nigeria.
Details of the Attacks
Wasiu Abiodun, Niger State police spokesperson, confirmed the attack in one of the villages, stating, "Suspected bandits invaded Tunga-Makeri village, six persons lost their lives, some houses were also set ablaze and a yet-to-be ascertained number of persons were abducted." He added that the assailants had moved on to Konkoso village, while details of other attacks remained unclear.
Jeremiah Timothy, a resident of Konkoso who fled to a nearby locality, described the attack on his village beginning in the early hours with sporadic gunfire. "At least 26 people were killed so far in the village after they set the police station ablaze," said Timothy, noting that the attackers entered Konkoso around 6am local time, shooting indiscriminately. He mentioned that residents heard military jets flying overhead during the incident.
Witness Accounts and Aftermath
Another witness, who requested anonymity, reported that the attackers, riding more than 200 motorbikes, swept through the area targeting the villages. Auwal Ibrahim, a resident of Tunga-Makeri, recounted the early-morning assault on his village at approximately 2am GMT, saying, "The bandits stormed our town around 3am local time, riding so many motorcycles while shooting sporadically, beheading six people and killing others. They set shops on fire and forced the whole village to flee."
Ibrahim added that many villagers fear returning as the gunmen remain nearby, highlighting the ongoing insecurity in the region. Insecurity is a pressing concern in Nigeria, and the government is under mounting pressure to restore stability, with military personnel standing guard after recent deadly raids in areas like Doma, Katsina State.
The violence underscores the broader challenges of banditry and instability in northern Nigeria, where communities continue to face threats from armed groups. Residents' accounts paint a grim picture of indiscriminate shootings, arson, and forced displacement, calling for urgent action to address the security crisis.
