Bandits Kill 32 Farmers, Abduct Several in Coordinated Attacks on Niger Communities

At least 32 farmers have been killed in a series of armed attacks on Tugan-Makeri, Konsoko and Pissa communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

Residents said the first assault occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday in Tugan-Makeri, located in Konkoso Ward. Six people were confirmed dead in that incident.

Witnesses reported that the attackers later moved to Konsoko and Pissa at about 6:00 a.m., firing gunshots as they entered the communities. In the subsequent attacks, 26 more people were reportedly killed. Several buildings, including a police outpost, were set on fire.

Sources in the area said the number of casualties in Pissa, under the Kabe/Pissa axis, has not been fully determined.

A resident, Hassan Abdullahi, said the attackers were more than 200 in number and operated for several hours. According to him, the assault that began around 6:00 a.m. lasted until about 10:00 a.m. He noted that the affected communities are about 200 kilometres from the Nigerian Air Force Base in New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu LGA.

The spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack on Tugan-Makeri. He said six people were killed, houses were burned and an unspecified number of residents were abducted.

Abiodun also confirmed that the gunmen later moved to Konsoko, though he said details of the incident there were still unclear.

He added that joint security teams have been deployed to the area for assessment, while efforts are underway to rescue those abducted.