Six feared dead, Police station burnt as bandits attack Niger community

Armed bandits have reportedly killed six people in Tungan-Makeri and set a police station on fire in nearby Konkoso, both in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The attack on Tungan-Makeri is said to have started around 8:00 p.m. on Friday, when over 200 gunmen stormed the village, firing sporadically and burning several homes.

Residents said the assailants remained in the area for hours, leaving six people dead and many others displaced.

An eyewitness from Zagatina village, along the attackers’ route, said he counted dozens of motorcycles conveying the armed men.

“They passed through my village and I counted about 41 motorcycles, with two or three persons on each, including women and children on some.

“I quickly hid myself in the bush when I noticed them coming because they passed through the back of my house,” the resident said.

Following the assault on Tungan Makeri, the bandits were said to have moved into Konkoso on Wednesday morning, where they reportedly operated without visible security presence.

During the incursion, a police station in the town was set ablaze, further escalating tension in the area.

Residents described Tungan-Makeri and Konkoso as the major towns in Borgu LGA, heightening concerns over the growing boldness of the attackers.

There were also reports that an Air Force aircraft was sighted around Tungan Makeri after the initial attack, a development some residents believe forced the bandits to withdraw from the village.

Efforts to obtain official confirmation from the Niger State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.

The incident has once again raised concerns over security in parts of Borgu LGA, with residents calling for urgent reinforcement to prevent further attacks.

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