46 people killed in attacks by gunmen in Niger State, Nigeria
Nigeria’s central-western region has witnessed a dangerous escalation in violence, with at least 46 people killed in a series of bloody attacks by gunmen on Saturday targeting three remote villages in Niger province, in a new episode of the violence plaguing Africa’s most populous country.
Details of the bloody attack
Nigerian security sources and local officials reported that the attacks were concentrated in the Burgo Local Government Area, which borders Kwara State. The gunmen, believed to be members of bandit gangs operating in the region, carried out coordinated raids that resulted in heavy casualties.
According to initial statistics, the village of Konkoso recorded the highest number of victims, with 38 people killed, while seven people were killed in the village of Tungan Makiri, and one person in the village of Bessa. These attacks further exacerbate the suffering of rural communities already burdened by weak security presence and difficult terrain.
The security context and the challenges of "highway robbers"
This attack is not an isolated incident, but rather part of a worsening security crisis that has plagued northwest and central Nigeria for years. Criminal gangs known locally as "bandits" are active in these areas; these armed groups engage in cattle rustling, kidnapping villagers and students for ransom, and burning homes.
These groups differ from jihadist organizations such as Boko Haram, which is active in the northeast. However, there are growing concerns among security experts about the possibility of cooperation or rapprochement between these criminal gangs and terrorist groups, which could widen the scope of the conflict and further complicate the security situation in the country.
Historical background and escalation of violence
Niger State, the largest in Nigeria, boasts a vast geographical area encompassing extensive uninhabited forests that serve as hideouts and launching pads for these gangs. The region has recently witnessed a significant escalation in violence; in early February alone, over 160 people were killed in similar attacks, highlighting the failure of current security strategies to curb these groups.
This deteriorating security situation poses a significant challenge to the Nigerian president and his government, which faces increasing domestic and international pressure to restore stability. These attacks also have severe economic and humanitarian consequences, displacing thousands of farmers and threatening the country's food security, as these regions are a major breadbasket for Nigeria.
Regional and local impact
The continuation of these attacks near the borders of other states, such as Kwara, raises concerns about the spread of violence to areas previously considered relatively safe. This situation creates a climate of constant fear among the population and disrupts daily life and economic activity, necessitating an urgent and comprehensive intervention that goes beyond military solutions to address the underlying economic and social causes of the conflict.
