Dozens of villagers are feared to have been abducted after a large group of bandits attacked Bagna village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killing at least five people and razing homes.
The нападение occurred in the early hours of Monday when the вооружённые нападавшие reportedly surrounded the village, launching a coordinated assault that left residents scrambling for safety.
Witnesses said the attackers, estimated at around 200, rode into the community on motorcycles and detonated explosives, setting houses and food storage facilities on fire.
A survivor who escaped to Kuta recounted the масштаб разрушений, noting that barns containing essential food supplies were also destroyed in the blaze.
“The whole village was filled with smoke. They burned everything, including where we kept our food,” the witness said.
As residents fled, several were reportedly intercepted by the attackers, with women said to be among those abducted.
Local vigilante groups and security personnel from nearby communities attempted to intervene but were overwhelmed by the attackers’ superior numbers.
Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incident, stating that joint security forces were deployed and engaged the bandits, forcing them to retreat.
He said two vigilante members and a driver from the security team were killed during the clash, while others were injured.
Authorities say the area is now relatively calm, though security agencies continue to monitor the situation closely.
The latest attack highlights the persistent insecurity in parts of Niger State and the wider North-Central region, where communities continue to face repeated assaults by armed groups.
