A devastating series of attacks by armed bandits in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State has left at least 16 vigilante operatives dead and 42 residents abducted.
The coordinated assaults, which spanned from Sunday, November 9, to Thursday, November 13, 2025, have triggered mass displacement as villagers flee their homes to safer areas.
The first attack occurred on Sunday, November 9, when bandits stormed Dutsen Magaji village and kidnapped 22 residents. Vigilantes pursued the attackers, leading to a gunfight that resulted in the deaths of three vigilantes and injuries to five others, who are now receiving hospital treatment.
A resident shared that the bandits returned on Thursday, November 13, targeting Magama village during dawn prayers.
They surrounded a mosque, abducting over 20 worshippers. Vigilantes who attempted to intervene were ambushed, with 13 killed and several others injured.
Isah Ibrahim Bokuta, Press Secretary to the Chairman of Mashegu LGA, confirmed the vigilantes’ deaths, praising their courage and sacrifice in defending their communities.
Meanwhile, SP Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, stated that the incidents are being verified, with updates expected soon.
Residents reported that the violence has led to the abandonment of several villages, including Dutsen Magaji, Borin-Aiki, Gidan Ruwa, and Magama. Many displaced families have sought refuge in areas such as Mashegu, Kawo-Mashegu, and Manigi, or with relatives in distant communities.
In a related development, the former chairman of the Niger State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Alhaji Alhassan Bawa Niworo, remains in captivity despite reports of a N70 million ransom paid by his family.
Niworo was kidnapped on September 29, 2025, alongside other passengers on the Mokwa–New Bussa road in Borgu LGA. While some of the abductees have been released, Niworo’s fate remains uncertain.
