MAIDUGURI, Nigeria — At least 20 people have been killed by gunmen in attacks on two villages in north central Nigeria, according to residents. At the same time, police have reported a significantly lower death toll, underscoring discrepancies that often emerge in reporting from conflict affected areas.
The attacks occurred in the early hours of Tuesday in Bagna and Erena, communities in the Shiroro area of Niger state. Shiroro lies about 250 kilometers from Abuja, Nigeria’s capital.
“They came on motorbikes and began shooting. It was a surprise attack, because it was in the early hours of the morning,” said Jibrin Isah, a resident of Erena.
Residents said the attackers moved through the villages and that many people fled to nearby communities. Some residents also reported that several people were missing following the attack.
Conflicting death tolls
Residents maintained that the number of those killed exceeded 20. Muhammad Tukur, a resident of Erena, said the toll was higher than official figures.
“Those killed in the attacks were above 20,” he mentioned.
Police, however, reported fewer casualties. Niger state police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun said three members of a joint security team were killed.
“Unfortunately, two vigilante members and a driver from the joint security team lost their lives during the attack, while some others were injured,” Abiodun said in a statement.
Differences between official and local casualty figures are common in attacks in rural parts of Nigeria, where access is limited and information is often gathered from multiple sources after incidents occur.
Rising insecurity in Niger state
The attacks in Shiroro are part of a broader pattern of violence in Niger state, where armed groups have carried out raids on villages and kidnappings for ransom in recent years. Shiroro is among areas that have recorded repeated attacks by gunmen.
Authorities in Nigeria have frequently described such attackers as bandits, a term used for criminal gangs operating mainly in the northwest and north central regions. These groups have been linked to killings, abductions, and raids on rural communities.
Recent reporting by international news agencies has documented similar incidents in parts of northern Nigeria, where dozens of people have been killed in separate attacks on villages. In some cases, gunmen have also abducted residents during raids.
Wider security crisis
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous country, is facing multiple security challenges across different regions. In the northeast, a long running insurgency has caused widespread displacement and casualties, according to the United Nations.
In addition to insurgency, parts of northern Nigeria have seen persistent violence involving armed groups engaged in kidnapping and attacks on communities. Analysts and officials have said these incidents contribute to ongoing instability in rural areas.
Disputes between herders and farmers over land use have also been reported in parts of north central Nigeria, sometimes leading to violence. However, authorities have not confirmed a specific motive for the attacks in Shiroro.
The situation in rural communities such as Bagna and Erena reflects broader security concerns in parts of the country, where residents continue to face the risk of attacks and displacement.
