Gunmen on motorbikes killed at least 30 people and torched homes during coordinated raids in northwest Nigeria early Saturday, residents said.
The attacks struck three villages in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, near the border with Benin.
Survivors blamed heavily armed “bandits,” criminal groups behind years of killings, kidnappings and mass displacement across northern Nigeria.
The violence adds to mounting insecurity that has placed Nigeria’s government under growing pressure to restore stability nationwide.
Niger State police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun confirmed an attack on Tunga-Makeri village, reporting six deaths and several houses burned.
“Suspected bandits invaded Tunga-Makeri village … six persons lost their lives, some houses were also set ablaze,” Abiodun said.
He added that the assailants later advanced toward Konkoso village, while details of other affected communities remained unclear.
Jeremiah Timothy, a resident who fled Konkoso, said the assault began before dawn with bursts of sporadic gunfire.
“At least 26 people were killed so far in the village after they set the police station ablaze,” Timothy said.
He reported that attackers entered around 6 a.m., firing indiscriminately as residents scattered into surrounding bushland.
Another witness, requesting anonymity, said more than 200 motorbikes carried gunmen who swept through the area in waves.
Auwal Ibrahim, from Tunga-Makeri, described a 3 a.m. assault marked by gunshots, arson and panic under a moonlit sky.
“The bandits stormed our town … riding so many motorcycles while shooting sporadically,” Ibrahim said.
He said shops were burned, villagers forced to flee, and many now fear returning as gunmen remain nearby.