Over 160 gunmen kill five, burn homes, abduct residents in Shiroro attack

Suspected terrorists have killed at least five people, razed multiple homes, and abducted several residents in a violent raid on Baga community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, marking yet another escalation of insecurity in the region.

Residents said the attack, which occurred late Tuesday, involved a large group of heavily armed men estimated to be over 160 who stormed the community, firing indiscriminately and deploying explosives to destroy houses and other property. The scale and coordination of the assault left parts of the community in ruins, with survivors fleeing into nearby bushes for safety.

An eyewitness, who requested anonymity for security reasons, described the incident as swift and devastating. According to the source, the attackers moved from house to house, setting buildings ablaze and targeting residents who attempted to escape. “They came in large numbers and overwhelmed the community. We could not defend ourselves. Many people ran into the bush, while others were not so lucky,” the resident said.

Local sources confirmed that no fewer than five people were killed during the attack while several others sustained varying degrees of injuries. Victims who survived the assault are currently receiving treatment at a nearby medical facility, although the exact number of injured persons remains unclear as rescue efforts continue.

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This  is believed to be linked to earlier criminal activity in the area. Security sources disclosed that the same group of  men had, on Monday, attacked nearby Nada village in Shiroro Local Government Area, where they reportedly rustled a large number of cattle. It is suspected that after the cattle rustling operation, the attackers moved into the Baga community, possibly encountering resistance or exploiting the opportunity to carry out further violence.

 

Shiroro Local Government Area has, in recent years, become a hotspot for banditry  with rural communities frequently targeted due to limited security presence and difficult terrain. The latest incident underscores growing concerns among residents over the persistent vulnerability of communities in Niger State and the broader North-Central region.

 

Efforts to reach local authorities and security agencies for official confirmation and response were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. However, community leaders are said to be calling for urgent government intervention, including the deployment of more security personnel to prevent further attacks.

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The incident adds to a growing list of violent incursions in Niger State, where armed groups have continued to exploit gaps in security to carry out killings, kidnappings, and cattle rustling with little resistance. Analysts warn that without sustained and coordinated security operations, such attacks could further destabilise already fragile rural communities.