At least 46 people have been killed after armed men riding motorcycles attacked three villages in central Nigeria, according to a humanitarian source.
The attacks happened in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, near the border with Kwara State. The area has recently experienced increased violence linked to armed gangs and jihadist groups.
Villages Targeted
The deadliest assault took place in Konkoso village, where at least 38 people were reportedly shot or had their throats slit. Many homes were burned, and more bodies are still being recovered, raising fears that the death toll could rise.
Gunmen first attacked the nearby village of Tungan Makeri at around 6:00 am, killing six people, according to a police spokesperson. After Konkoso, the attackers reportedly moved to Pissa village, where they set a police station on fire and killed at least one person.
Witnesses said the attackers arrived on about 41 motorcycles, with two or three men on each bike. Several people are still missing, and some women were reportedly abducted.
Rising Insecurity
The border area between Niger and Kwara states includes the Kainji Forest, which has long been known as a hideout for armed gangs and jihadist fighters.
Nigeria has been battling multiple security challenges across different regions. In the northeast, the country has faced a jihadist insurgency for more than 16 years. In the north-central region, violent clashes between farmers and herders continue. Kidnappings for ransom are common in the northwest, while separatist violence affects parts of the southeast.
Earlier this month, more than 160 people were killed in an attack in Kwara State. The al-Qaeda-affiliated Group for the Support of Islam and Muslims (JNIM) previously claimed responsibility for an attack near Woro village last October, marking one of its first confirmed operations in Nigeria.
Calls for Stronger Security
Religious and community leaders in Borgu have called on Bola Tinubu to establish a military base in the area to prevent further attacks.
The violence has also drawn international attention. Former US President Donald Trump has claimed that Christians in Nigeria are facing persecution and genocide by terrorists. However, Nigerian authorities and many experts reject that description, saying the violence affects both Christians and Muslims.
Security forces are continuing investigations and patrols in the affected communities as residents fear more attacks.
