Prosper Okoye
At least six people have been killed and a police station destroyed following a coordinated attack by suspected bandits on Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso communities in Niger State’s Borgu Local Government Area (LGA).
The assault reportedly began late on Friday night in Tungan-Makeri, where eyewitnesses said more than 200 armed men stormed the community, firing sporadically and setting houses ablaze. Residents fled in panic to neighbouring villages as the attackers moved through the area.
A resident of Zagatina village, located along the attackers’ route, told reporters he saw dozens of motorcycles carrying the armed men. “I counted about 41 motorcycles, each carrying two or three persons. Some even had women and children with them. When I realised they were approaching, I quickly hid in the bush as they passed behind my house,” he said.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBy the end of the raid, six people were reported dead, several homes destroyed, and many families displaced.
The attackers were said to have advanced to nearby Konkoso in the early hours of Saturday, where they allegedly set a police station on fire, destroying property and heightening tension across the district. Residents described the attacks as brazen, noting the absence of a visible security presence during the invasion.
Some locals reported seeing a Nigerian Air Force aircraft in the area after the initial assault, which they said may have contributed to the bandits’ withdrawal.
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Confirming the incident, the Niger State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the attack occurred around 3:00 a.m. via the Shafachi district. He confirmed six fatalities, houses set ablaze, and an unspecified number of abductions. He added that the assailants were also reported to have moved towards Konkoso, while further details were still sketchy.
SP Abiodun said joint security teams have since been deployed to the affected communities to assess the situation and carry out rescue operations for those abducted.
The attack highlights ongoing security challenges in parts of Borgu LGA, with residents calling on the state government and security agencies to strengthen protection in vulnerable communities to prevent further violence.
Prosper Okoye is a Correspondent and Research Writer at Prime Business Africa, a Nigerian journalist with experience in development reporting, public affairs, and policy-focused storytelling across Africa
