Sixteen people, including 14 local vigilantes and two civilians, lost their lives when armed attackers stormed Bagna and Yelwa in Shiroro LGA, Niger State. Among the dead were the Bagna vigilante commander and a woman.

Niger State SSG Alhaji Abubakar Usman described the raids on Erena, Bagna, and Yelwa as “heinous and senseless,” noting the assaults left homes burnt, property destroyed, and families displaced. Eyewitnesses said the gunmen arrived in large numbers on motorcycles, firing indiscriminately before setting buildings on fire.

The incident happened just days after a joint team of Army troops, DSS operatives, and local volunteers disrupted a planned mass attack on Bagna and Erena on April 7, 2026. Acting on intelligence, the team ambushed over 300 armed men heading for the communities, killing many and forcing the rest to retreat toward Makuba and Allawa.

Community members had praised the earlier security intervention for averting what they called a major tragedy. State authorities say operations against bandits are being intensified and are asking residents to share timely information with security agencies.

Source: Channels TV