By Ayo Kehinde
The death toll from the deadly Monday morning attack on the Bagna community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State has risen to 52, even as the state government has reassured residents of renewed efforts to restore peace and bring perpetrators to justice.
More bodies were recovered in the aftermath of the attack, with at least 20 persons currently receiving treatment for gunshot injuries at various government health facilities. Despite the scale of the tragedy, authorities say coordinated security responses are underway to stabilise the area and prevent further violence.
A reliable source close to the community disclosed that of the 52 fatalities recorded so far, 42 were members of a joint security task force whose camp was reportedly set ablaze during the invasion. Six others were identified as members of the local vigilante group, while four were villagers caught in the crossfire.
The source further revealed that several bodies were discovered in surrounding bushes during search operations, while some victims succumbed to injuries in the hospital.
Although the exact number of casualties among the attackers remains unclear, it was indicated that security forces inflicted significant losses on the invading bandits during the confrontation.
“Up till yesterday morning (Wednesday), some bodies were recovered from bushes around the community. This is one of the biggest attacks in recent times because the bandits came well prepared and in large numbers”, the source said.
He added that, in the immediate aftermath of the attack, the Bagna community and neighbouring settlements have been temporarily deserted as residents fled to safer locations, while security personnel continue search-and-rescue operations for missing colleagues.
“Right now, as I speak to you, there is nobody in the Bagna community, including neighbouring villages. It is only the security agents that are searching the bushes for their missing colleagues”, he stated.
Further findings suggest that the attack may have been a retaliatory operation by bandits following the seizure of cattle and sheep by security agents months earlier. The livestock were reportedly linked to a notorious bandit leader, Mallam Kachala, who previously controlled parts of the area before being killed in a gun battle with the joint security task force.
Although some of the seized animals were said to have been returned after local authorities intervened, sources indicated that tensions persisted over unaccounted livestock, which may have triggered the reprisal.
“I think this was what led to this attack because for almost a year now, we have not experienced any attack from the bandits. The people have been going about their normal farming and commercial activities. Those cattle and sheep that were seized, it is not all of them were returned after the local government intervened. Some cattle and sheep were missing, and nobody could account for them. From all indications, Dogo Jede and the Kachala group teamed up to launch this attack over their missing animals”, the source explained.
In response, Niger State Governor, Mohammed Umaru Bago, has extended his condolences to the people of Shiroro Local Government Area, describing the attack as heinous and a setback to ongoing security efforts.
In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, the governor assured residents that the government remains committed to safeguarding lives and property across the state.
“These renewed attacks on our people are heart-wrenching. I deeply sympathise with the entire people of Shiroro and most especially the affected communities over the unfortunate and unwarranted attacks on them. I want to assure you that you are not alone; I share in your pains as well as losses”, the governor said.
He further emphasised that security agencies have been placed on heightened alert, with intensified operations aimed at tracking down the perpetrators and preventing future occurrences.
Authorities also hinted at plans to strengthen collaboration between security forces and local communities, alongside improved intelligence gathering, to consolidate the relative peace that had been enjoyed in the area prior to the incident.
