Bandits fleeing Zamfara kill 5, burn houses in Niger – Daily Trust

Five farmers have been killed, 18 folks kidnapped, and houses and outlets burnt in a sequence of assaults by suspected bandits in communities in Niger State.

The assaults occurred between October 9 and 12, 2026, in Fanga group in Mashegu Local Government Area (LGA), in addition to Kigbere and Kokani communities in Borgu LGA.

The newest assault occurred in Fanga on Monday after the bandits allegedly demanded thousands and thousands of naira in levies from residents who couldn’t meet their calls for.

A resident, who spoke to Daily Trust on situation of anonymity, stated the attackers invaded the group in the afternoon, setting houses and outlets on fireplace and killing 5 folks.

“They set one of our trucks ablaze, broke into many shops and stole food items. They also abducted 18 people, including women and young children. Fanga has been completely deserted,” he stated.

The resident stated the bandits had imposed levies on the group 5 occasions, however continued to assault it regardless of earlier funds.

“Even after we’ve got paid, they nonetheless come to assault us. This time, we’ve got not been capable of pay what they demanded, and so they have insisted that if we would like peace, we should always increase the cash and pay.

“Our children no longer go to school because of insecurity. We can no longer access our farms. We need government intervention,” he added.

Meanwhile, residents of Rukukuje group in Rijau LGA fled their properties on Monday following stories of the motion of suspected bandits in the realm.

A resident stated a few of these fleeing had moved to Rijau, the native authorities headquarters, whereas others crossed into neighbouring Zamfara State for security.

He stated the suspected bandits entered the realm by means of a forest in Zamfara State in the afternoon.

Another resident stated farmers fled after the armed males had been sighted advancing in the direction of their group.

A video circulating on social media confirmed ladies, kids and aged folks wading by means of a river in the direction of Shambo in search of security.

They had been seen carrying meals objects and different private belongings as they fled the reported menace.

Some residents had been additionally seen pushing their bikes by means of the water as they made their means out of the group.

Local sources stated the reported motion of the suspected bandits triggered panic, forcing households to desert their properties over fears of an assault.

The Rijau axis of Niger State has confronted rising safety issues, with suspected bandits working throughout the border from Zamfara State, which has battled persistent banditry for years.

Despite repeated safety operations geared toward flushing out the armed teams, rural communities proceed to face threats that disrupt farming and pressure residents to flee their properties.

The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, didn’t reply to a message despatched to his cellphone in search of remark.