Headline:
Niger State Massacre: 61 Bodies Recovered After Bandit Attack Sparks Mass Displacement
Subheading:
Survivors flee as violence resurges in Shiroro LGA, with residents accusing authorities of ignoring warnings.
Minna, Niger State – The death toll from Tuesday’s brutal bandit attack in Niger State has risen to 61, with residents recovering bodies from surrounding bushes days after the assault on Bagna and Erena communities in Shiroro Local Government Area.
The victims include security personnel, local vigilantes, and civilians caught in the crossfire. While civilians have been buried in Erena, the remains of slain security operatives were taken to the mortuary at Minna General Hospital.
A Community in Mourning
A resident of Erena, speaking anonymously for safety, confirmed the heavy casualties. Among the dead was Manga, a vigilante commander who initially survived gunshot wounds during the clash but later succumbed to his injuries.
Local vigilantes and security forces managed to repel the attackers, but not before suffering devastating losses. Residents praised their bravery but condemned the government for allegedly ignoring prior intelligence that could have prevented the massacre.
Panic Spreads as Villages Empty
The violence has triggered a wave of fear across nearby communities. On Thursday, residents of Bassa in Bassa/Kukkoki ward fled en masse after rumors of an impending bandit invasion.
Disturbing videos circulating online show women and children desperately boarding canoes to escape, while others sought shelter at Zumba Central Primary School and other makeshift camps in Shiroro.
Rabiu Iliyasu, a farmer who fled his home, described chaotic scenes after military aircraft began bombing nearby areas.
“Security forces withdrew because they weren’t informed about the operation, and we had no choice but to run,” he said. “There was no one left to protect us.”
Another resident, Suleiman Abdullahi, said rumors of bandits massing near Bassa prompted security forces to advise evacuation.
A Fragile Peace Shattered
Until Tuesday’s attack, the area had enjoyed nearly a year of relative calm. The sudden resurgence of violence has left locals questioning whether authorities are doing enough to curb banditry in the region.
With hundreds displaced and tensions still high, many fear further bloodshed unless security forces take decisive action.
— Reported by Nexio News
