Many Feared Dead In Niger As Terrorists, Bandits Engage In Heavy Fighting

Suspected Lakurawa fighters and armed bandits in the Tapkin Giyayya axis of Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State reportedly engaged in heavy fighting.

NEWSNGR reports that security expert, Zagazola Makama, made this known in a post on 𝕏, saying both sides suffered casualties.

He said the clash began after a group of armed bandits allegedly moved from forests in Zamfara State through the Tudun Magaji area into the Mashegu Forest.

Residents said several fighters were reportedly killed during the confrontation, while others were seen fleeing the area with gunshot wounds.

While security authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident, the exact number of casualties could not be verified as of the time of filing this report.

In other news, gunmen suspected to be bandits have reportedly killed the Chief Imam of Talluje village in Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State during an attack on two communities in Danchadi District.

Two other residents were also reportedly killed in the Wednesday attack on Talluje and neighbouring Chofi village, while hundreds of residents were forced to flee their homes.

The incident brings to three the number of chief imams reportedly killed by bandits in Sokoto State within the past few weeks.

Daily Trust quoted local sources as saying the assailants launched coordinated attacks on the two villages at about 4:00 p.m., shooting indiscriminately and causing panic among residents.

The attack reportedly lasted until about 6:00 p.m. before the bandits fled with an unspecified number of rustled livestock.