Bandits kill one, kidnap couple in Niger attack

Armed bandits have killed one person and kidnapped a husband and wife during an early morning attack on Makera town in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to police sources, the attack occurred around 2:30 am on May 3, when the gunmen stormed the community located along the Kontagora–Lagos highway.

Zagazola Makama, a security expert in the Lake Chad region, shared on his X handle that the attackers reportedly shot a man identified as Aminu Yusufa, who later died while receiving treatment at a hospital in Makera.

The same group also abducted a couple, Alhaji Umaru Garba and Hajiya Marwa Umaru, and took them to an unknown location.

Security sources said the Divisional Police Officer quickly mobilised a joint team of police officers and local vigilantes to respond to the incident.

Efforts are currently underway to rescue the kidnapped victims and track down those responsible.

In a separate incident, residents of Woko community in Borgu Local Government Area successfully repelled another bandit attack on the night of May 2, around 10:15 pm.

The bandits had entered the village firing shots, but the villagers organised themselves and resisted the attack.

During the confrontation, one of the attackers was killed, while others escaped with gunshot wounds.

A police tactical team later arrived at the scene alongside local hunters and vigilantes.
They recovered the body of the dead bandit and a locally made shotgun.

Security presence has since been increased in the affected areas, while investigations into both attacks are ongoing.