Tension and grief have enveloped parts of Niger State following a deadly bandit attack on communities in Borgu Local Government Area, where the death toll has reportedly risen to 15.
The assault, which residents said occurred in the early hours of the weekend, left multiple families shattered and several others displaced. According to community sources, armed men believed to be bandits stormed rural settlements on motorcycles, firing indiscriminately and forcing villagers to flee into surrounding bushes for safety. Survivors described scenes of chaos as gunshots rang through the night, with many residents caught unprepared.
A local community leader, who spoke amid visible distress, said the scale of the violence was devastating. “We have counted 15 bodies so far, and there are people still missing,” he said. “Our people were attacked without warning. These were innocent farmers and traders. We are helpless and living in fear.”
Another resident who narrowly escaped the attack recounted the moment the gunmen arrived. “They came shooting. Everybody started running. Some people fell, some were crying for help. We had no choice but to run into the bush,” he said. “We cannot continue like this. We need security presence here urgently.”
Security sources in the state confirmed that an attack took place in parts of Borgu but said assessments were ongoing to determine the full extent of casualties and property damage. A senior security official, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak publicly, said operatives had been deployed to the affected communities. “We are on ground. Tactical teams have been mobilised to the area, and efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators,” the official stated. “We urge residents to remain calm and provide useful information that can aid our operations.”
Although the Niger State Government had not immediately released a detailed casualty list at the time of filing this report, a government source acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. “The government is aware and is working closely with security agencies to restore calm. Protection of lives and property remains our top priority,” the source said.
The latest killings underscore the persistent security challenges confronting rural communities in Niger State, particularly in border and forested areas where armed groups have operated for years. Borgu, with its vast terrain and proximity to forest corridors, has repeatedly experienced incursions by bandits who target villages, markets, and travelers.
Residents say beyond the tragic loss of lives, the psychological and economic consequences of the attack could linger for months. Farming activities in several affected communities have reportedly slowed as fear spreads among villagers. “People are afraid to go to their farms,” another resident said. “If this continues, hunger will follow.”
