No fewer than 32 farmers have been killed in coordinated bandit attacks on Tunga-Makeri, Konsoko, and Pissa communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, in one of the deadliest assaults recorded in the area in recent times.
Residents said the first attack occurred at about 3:00 a.m. on Saturday in Tunga-
Makeri village, located in Konkoso Ward, where six persons were reportedly killed after heavily armed bandits stormed the community.
The attackers were said to have returned hours later, invading Konsoko and neighbouring Pissa community at about 6:00 a.m., shooting sporadically and unleashing terror on residents. During the attacks, 26 additional persons were reportedly killed, while several buildings, including a police outpost, were razed.
Sources within the affected communities disclosed that the exact casualty figure in Pissa, located in Kabe/Pissa area, may be higher, as some victims were still unaccounted for at the time of filing this report.
A resident, Hassan Abdullahi, told Daily Trust that the attackers, believed to be more than 200 in number, operated for several hours without resistance.
According to him, the assault that began around 6:00 a.m. lasted until about 10:00 a.m., leaving behind trails of destruction, death, and displacement.
He noted that the affected communities are located about 200 kilometres from the Nigerian Air Force Base in New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu Local Government Area.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the initial attack on Tunga-Makeri occurred at about 3:00 a.m., resulting in the death of six persons.
He added that several houses were burnt and an unspecified number of residents were abducted during the invasion.
Abiodun also confirmed that the bandits later advanced to other nearby communities, though full details of the attacks were still being compiled.
“On 14/2/2026 at about 6:00 a.m., a report was received indicating that at about 3:00 a.m., suspected bandits invaded Tunga-Makeri village via Shafachi District in Borgu LGA,” he said.
“During the attack, six persons lost their lives, some houses were set ablaze, and a yet-to-be-ascertained number of persons were abducted.
“The terrorists were also reported to have moved to Konkoso village, while other details remain sketchy.
“Meanwhile, joint security teams have been mobilised to the scene for assessment, and efforts to rescue the victims are ongoing.”
The latest attack has heightened fears among residents, particularly farmers, who have increasingly become targets of armed groups operating across rural communities in Niger State.
Community members have called on security agencies to intensify surveillance and provide sustained protection to prevent further attacks and restore confidence among vulnerable populations.
Daily Trust
