NIGERIA: Borgu Under Siege as Bandits Kill Residents, Torch Homes in Niger

By Ameenat Hamzat, Lagos, Nigeria 

Suspected bandits have launched coordinated attacks on communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, killing residents, abducting others and setting homes ablaze, in what authorities describe as an ongoing security operation zone.

The attacks, which spanned multiple villages between Friday and Saturday, reportedly began in Tunga-Makeri, where several residents were killed and houses burned. The assailants later advanced to Paso and nearby communities, where additional buildings, including a police outpost, were torched.

An eyewitness, Mohammed Ibrahim, described the scale of violence and the movement of the attackers across villages.

He said:“They moved to another village called Pisa, again to carry out another operation. Seven people have been slaughtered by the bandits in Konkoso. This is how they destroyed the Pissa police outpost. So far, 26 deaths have been recorded in the Konkoso bandit attack.”

Security authorities confirmed the incident and said response teams had been deployed to stabilise the affected areas and support victims.

The spokesperson of the state police command, Wasiu Abiodun, said: “On 14/2/2026 at about 6 am, a report was received indicating that at about 3 am, suspected bandits invaded Tunga-Makeri village via Shafachi district, Borgu LGA. During the attack, six people lost their lives. Some houses were also set ablaze, and a yet-to-be ascertained number of persons were abducted, as the terrorists were also reported to have moved to Konkoso village. Other details are still sketchy.”

Security agencies say operations are ongoing to secure the communities, prevent further attacks and recover abducted residents, while assessments continue on the extent of casualties and damage.

Residents in the affected areas have called for sustained security presence, citing fears of renewed attacks as investig

ations continue.