At least six people have been killed following a coordinated attack by armed bandits on Tungan-Makeri and nearby Konkoso districts in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
The assault on Tungan-Makeri reportedly began around 8:00 p.m. on Friday, when more than 200 armed men stormed the village, firing sporadically and setting multiple houses ablaze. Residents said the attackers operated for several hours, leaving six persons dead and displacing many others.
An eyewitness from Zagatina village, located along the route taken by the assailants, described the scale of the invasion. He said he counted approximately 41 motorcycles conveying the gunmen, with two or three riders on each bike. According to him, women and children were also seen among the group.
“They passed through the back of my house. When I saw them coming, I quickly hid in the bush,” the resident recounted.
Following the Tungan-Makeri attack, the bandits reportedly moved into Konkoso on Wednesday morning, where they operated without any visible security presence. During the incursion, a police station in the town was set ablaze, further heightening tension across the area.
Residents identified Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso as key towns within the local government, raising concerns over the increasing boldness of armed groups in the region.
There were reports that an aircraft belonging to the Nigerian Air Force was sighted over Tungan-Makeri after the initial assault, a development some locals believe may have prompted the attackers’ withdrawal.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Niger State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The latest incident has intensified fears over worsening insecurity in parts of Borgu LGA, with residents calling for immediate reinforcement of security personnel to forestall further attacks.
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