Coordinated attacks on towns in Niger State’s Shiroro Local Government Area have reportedly killed at least 60 people, including over 40 security personnel, ending weeks of comparatively peaceful conditions.

Coordinated attacks on towns in Niger State’s Shiroro Local Government Area have reportedly killed at least 60 people, including over 40 security personnel, ending weeks of comparatively peaceful conditions.

The attacks in Lanta village started on Monday and were still going on as of the time this report was filed, according to local and intelligence sources who spoke with PREMIUM TIMES.

Six sources from various regions of the local government area were interviewed by our reporter.

They said that 63 people were killed when terrorists attacked Bagna village on Tuesday. According to reports, local hunters, vigilantes, and State Security Services (SSS) personnel were among those slain. They clarified that no one was kidnapped by the terrorists during the attack.

“They came to kill,” Yahuza Agumi, an intelligence source who lives near Bagna, said. “No abductions were recorded during the attack, but several houses were razed, and the DSS camp in Bagna was completely burnt.”

Multiple sources said the terrorists killed a female resident of Bagna whom they first encountered.

“More than 40 security operatives were killed in Bagna as civilians fled to Erena,” said another who pleaded anonymity for fear of being targeted by security forces. He added that civilians who fled to Erena were chased to the town and killed.

Erena is a garrison town where many displaced persons are taking refuge. It is less than 30 kilometres from Bagna.

“The bandits did not stay long in Erena because they knew soldiers were stationed in the town,” Mr Agumi said, adding that the terrorists were not confronted by the soldiers.

Multiple sources said the terrorists killed a female resident of Bagna whom they first encountered.

“More than 40 security operatives were killed in Bagna as civilians fled to Erena,” said another who pleaded anonymity for fear of being targeted by security forces. He added that civilians who fled to Erena were chased to the town and killed.

Because of recent security force activities, many believe the SSS formation in Bagna was targeted on purpose.

According to reports, SSS agents once found cattle that had been stolen from suspected bandits in the Abagba area.

In another, it was reported that security guards stationed in Bassa conducted a raid in Allawa, killing some herders who were allegedly aiding bandits.

According to some reports, the upcoming agricultural season may also be connected to the increase in violence, with terrorists stepping up their attacks to force communities into talks or seize control of rural areas before farming operations begin.

Three citizens were killed and homes were set on fire when terrorists attacked Lanta, a town around four kilometres from Bagna, on Monday. Five people, including two women, were kidnapped in Tungan Gora on the same day.

After months of rather calm conditions in the area, the most recent violence has occurred. The last known occurrence occurred in December in Afapi, close to Chukuba, where two male civilians were killed with an improvised explosive device (IED).

The infamous leader Dogo Gide’s bandit gang, whose mother resides nearby, has a stronghold in Chukuba.

However, locals have criticised the security reaction to the resumed attacks as being inadequate and delayed, pointing out that there was no rapid military presence during the episodes.