Bandits attack Niger State Borgu communities, Kill Four, Abduct Many

Bandits attack Niger State Borgu communities, Kill Four, Abduct Many

Bandits attack Niger State communities again, shattering the fragile calm in the North Central region after armed assailants carried out coordinated and violent raids that left residents traumatized. The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of the week, targeted communities within the Borgu Local Government Area and nearby settlements, resulting in multiple deaths, destruction of property, and the abduction of villagers. Among those killed was an 85 year old woman who could not escape when the attackers overran her home, underscoring the ruthless nature of the assault.

Eyewitness accounts revealed that the attackers arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, heavily armed and operating with precision. They moved from one area to another, opening fire indiscriminately and setting shops and food stores ablaze. Several businesses were reduced to ashes, wiping out sources of income and food supplies that many families depend on for survival. At least four people were confirmed dead in one of the affected communities, while others sustained serious gunshot injuries as they fled into nearby bushes in an attempt to save their lives.

Beyond the killings and destruction, the attackers also carried out abductions that have deepened the community’s suffering. According to local leaders, several villagers were seized during the raids and taken into forested areas that stretch across the state’s borders. The abducted victims reportedly include women and children, and no contact has yet been made with their families. The silence from the kidnappers has fueled anxiety and fear, as relatives remain uncertain about the fate of their loved ones.

The attack reflects a disturbing pattern of violence that has become common in parts of Niger State, where armed groups increasingly target rural communities for both terror and financial gain. Kidnapping for ransom has continued to cripple agrarian settlements, forcing families into debt and displacement while creating an atmosphere of constant fear.

Security operatives have since been deployed to the affected areas to restore calm and pursue the attackers. However, residents expressed frustration over what they described as slow intervention despite prior warnings about suspicious movements near surrounding forests. Community members, including local hunters and vigilantes, have intensified self defense efforts as calls grow louder for stronger federal support. The Niger State government has appealed for enhanced security operations, including aerial surveillance, to dismantle bandit camps and prevent further bloodshed.

For the people of Borgu and neighboring communities, the immediate priority remains the safe rescue of those abducted and the hope that decisive action will finally bring relief to areas that have suffered repeated attacks.