Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Tuesday invaded Bagna village in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killing four persons and abducting an unspecified number of residents.

Sources told Peoples Gazette that the attackers, riding on motorcycles, stormed the community around 11 a.m., setting houses ablaze and shooting residents.

A community member, Ibrahim Chocky Erena, said the village came under heavy attack and that security operatives were overpowered.

“There are casualties, but the confirmed death toll is four, and they are mostly members of the local joint security task force,” he told The Gazette. “The bandits dismantled a security camp in Bagna. We have four bodies: three local security personnel and one civilian.”

Another resident, who identified himself simply as Kuta, said security personnel in the area were overwhelmed before the attackers began targeting residents.

“We were at home around 9 a.m. when we received a call that bandits had entered Bagna. Later, they overpowered the security personnel”.

“The bandits went from house to house, setting buildings on fire and shooting anyone they saw. After the security forces withdrew, they pursued fleeing residents toward Erena”, Mr Kuta told The Gazette in a telephone call.

He added that the number of casualties remained unclear as tension persists in Bagna and the surrounding communities, noting that women were mostly abducted while men were killed.

A community leader, Jibrin Allawa, also confirmed the attack, stating that the assailants first dispersed security operatives before attacking residents.

“They dispersed the security. My friend, Suleiman Bala, was stopped on his motorcycle, and his phone was taken. Out of fear, he tried to run but was shot,” he said.

According to him, three victims have so far been buried according to Islamic rites, while the total casualty figure is yet to be determined.

Like other residents, Mr Allawa said the attackers initially targeted security formations before proceeding to burn houses in the community.

When contacted, the state police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident, stating that two security personnel and a driver were killed in the attack.

“On 7th April 2026 at about 6.30 am, information received indicated that some armed bandits invaded Bagna village and later moved to Erena village, but joint security in the area mobilised and engaged the bandits, which pushed the hoodlums out of the area”, Mr Abiodun said. 

He added, “Unfortunately, two vigilante members and a driver from the joint security team lost their lives during the attack, while some others were injured”. 

Mr Abiodun stated that the affected area is relatively calm whilst monitoring continues.