Victims of Niger attack get mass burial

At least 36 people killed by bandits in communities in Borgu Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State have been given a mass burial.

The victims were laid to rest on Sunday after the attackers reportedly left the affected communities following several hours of violent operations.

Daily Trust gathered that many communities in the area have been deserted as residents fled to safer locations, including New Bussa, Wawa, and other surrounding areas.

A resident, who preferred to remain anonymous, said, “Many people are displaced, while some are still missing. The majority of the displaced persons are in Shafaci village, while others are heading to Wawa and New Bussa to stay with relatives.”

Bandits killed over 30 farmers in a series of attacks on Tunga-Makeri, Konkoso, and Pissa communities in Borgu LGA between Friday and Saturday.

Sources told Daily Trust that while many people have been displaced, several others remain unaccounted for since the attacks.

The police also confirmed that an unspecified number of people were kidnapped during the raids.

According to sources, the first attack occurred in Tunga-Makeri in Konkoso Ward around 3:00 a.m., during which six people were killed. The bandits later moved to Konkoso and Pissa around 6:00 a.m. on Saturday, firing sporadically, killing 26 people, and setting several buildings ablaze, including a police outpost.

Sources added that the number of casualties in Pissa community in Kabe/Pissa is yet to be ascertained, as some residents are still missing.

Hassan Abdullahi, a resident, told Daily Trust that the attackers, numbering over 200, operated for several hours.

He said Saturday’s attack began around 6:00 a.m. and lasted until 10:00 a.m., noting that the affected communities are approximately 200 km away from the Nigerian Air Force Base in New Bussa, the headquarters of Borgu LGA.

When contacted, the spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed that the attack on Tunga-Makeri village occurred around 3:00 a.m. on Saturday.

He stated that six people were killed, some houses were set ablaze, and an unspecified number of people were kidnapped.

Abiodun also confirmed that the bandits later moved to Konkoso but said details of that attack were still sketchy.

He said “On 14/2/2026 at about 6am, report received indicated that at about 3am, suspected bandits invaded Tunga-Makeri village via Shafachi district Borgu LGA and during the attack, six persons 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, and other details still sketchy.

“Meanwhile, joint security teams have been mobilised to the scene for assessment and efforts to rescue the victims are ongoing.”

Efforts to obtain a reaction from the Niger State government were unsuccessful. The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Barrister Maurice Magaji, also did not respond to messages sent to his phone.

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