Security
Gunmen Kill 26, Burn Police Station, Houses in Fresh Attack on Communities in Niger State
At least 26 persons have been killed after armed men suspected to be bandits launched a deadly assault on Tungan Makeri and Nkpaso communities in Konkoso ward of Borgu Local Government Area, unleashing violence that also left buildings razed and a police station destroyed.
The attack, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, comes barely a week after political and traditional leaders in the area issued a Save-Our-Soul appeal to the Federal Government, requesting the establishment of a military base to halt recurring attacks by armed groups.
Local sources said seven of the victims were singled out and killed during the raid. The gunmen reportedly stormed Nkpaso first, moving from house to house before carrying out the killings. Residents said the attackers numbered more than 200.
During the assault, the invaders set ablaze the police station in Konkoso after officers on duty reportedly fled. There was no immediate report of weapons being carted away from the facility.
Witnesses added that several houses were burned and shops looted as residents fled in different directions to escape the violence.
According to a community source, the attack may be linked to recent appeals by local leaders urging federal authorities to deploy troops to the troubled communities.
“They told the people that the government cannot protect them and that they are wasting their time seeking help. They said the people should find a way of making peace with them instead,” the source said.
The source further alleged that the attackers described the killings as a warning to residents and threatened further assaults.
Last week, leaders from across Borgu kingdom, covering Borgu and Agwara local government areas, appealed to the Federal Government to urgently deploy security personnel to the region, describing the security situation as alarming and frightening.
Speaking on behalf of community stakeholders, the chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in the state and Catholic Bishop of Kontagora Diocese, Bulus Dauwa Yohanna, said residents were living like refugees in their own communities due to repeated attacks.
As of the time of filing this report, neither government authorities nor the police command had issued an official statement on the latest incident.
The Katsina State Police Command has confirmed the death of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Rimi Local Government Area, CSP Muhammad Sani Kabir, who was killed during a gun battle with suspected bandits.
In a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, Abubakar Sadiq-Aliyu, the officer lost his life in the early hours of Friday while leading a police operation to thwart a cattle-rustling attack in Maagaje community.
The police team reportedly engaged the armed suspects in a fierce exchange of gunfire, leading to the neutralisation of three bandits. Authorities also recovered the rustled cattle during the operation.
The Command disclosed that the remains of the late DPO have been moved to Zaria for burial arrangements.
The Katsina State Police Command described the fallen officer as courageous and dedicated to duty, noting that his sacrifice would not be forgotten.
Professor Abubakar El-Jummah, Dean of the Faculty of Engineering and Technology at the Nigerian Army University in Biu, Borno State, has died while in Boko Haram captivity.
Professor El-Jummah was abducted on March 3, 2025, during travel from Biu to Maiduguri along the Damaturu–Buni Yadi–Biu road. Insurgents later informed his family that he had died after a year in captivity due to illness.
A funeral prayer in absentia was held at the Ngomari Old Airport Juma’at Mosque in Maiduguri, attended by hundreds of sympathizers.
The family expressed gratitude for the support received during this difficult period. Details regarding any ransom demands remain unclear.
Residents of three Kwara State communities have been thrown into fear following the circulation of a threat letter allegedly issued by a suspected terrorist group warning of imminent attacks.
According to local sources, the letter, reportedly distributed late Wednesday night, claimed the communities had been identified as targets and vowed to carry out a “major operation” “anytime soon,” sparking widespread alarm among residents.
Residents on Edge
Villagers reported that families were considering fleeing their homes, while others organized night watches and sought temporary refuge in nearby towns. Many parents kept their children from attending school, and businesses reportedly closed early in response to rising anxiety. Community leaders confirmed receiving reports of the letter and held emergency meetings to discuss safety measures. Residents expressed frustration over recurring security threats and called for stronger government protection.
Security Agencies Respond
Spokespersons for the Nigeria Police Force said authorities had been alerted and were assessing the situation. Security patrols were intensified in the affected areas to reassure residents and prevent potential attacks. Officials urged the public to remain calm, avoid spreading unverified information, and noted that intelligence gathering is ongoing.
Growing Concerns
The incident adds to ongoing concerns about insecurity in parts of Nigeria, with local leaders calling for the deployment of additional security personnel and surveillance resources to prevent attacks. As of press time, the identity of the group behind the threats had not been confirmed, leaving residents on high alert while awaiting further updates from authorities.
This development underscores the persistent security challenges faced by communities in the region and the urgent need for proactive measures to safeguard civilians.