Gunmen kill at least 32 in Nigeria attack

At least 32 people have been killed in a deadly attack by gunmen on motorcycles in northern Nigeria. The brutal attack took place on Saturday (February 14) in three villages in the Borgu area of ​​Niger state. Witnesses and local police said the attackers entered the villages, opened fire and set several houses on fire. The attack began in the village of Tunga-Makeri, where six people were killed and several others were abducted.
The gunmen then entered the village of Konkoso, where at least 26 people were confirmed dead. Some aid sources claim the death toll could reach 38. Residents of Konkoso village said the attackers entered the village in the early hours of the morning, set fire to the police station and opened fire on civilians. According to witnesses, many people were shot and some were beheaded during the attack. Another village, Pitsa, was also attacked and a police station was set on fire.
In recent years, the region of Nigeria has seen an increase in the activities of IS-linked armed groups and ransom-collecting bandits. Religious and community leaders in the Borgu area have called on President Bola Tinubu to establish a permanent military base in the region. Nigeria’s security crisis has also become a cause for concern internationally. Pressure on the country has increased after US President Donald Trump recently criticized Nigeria’s security situation.
While Nigerian authorities have denied targeting any specific religious group, experts say the violence has affected both Christians and Muslims equally. Despite US airstrikes in Sokoto state in December to suppress the armed groups, deadly attacks in the north have continued.

Source: Al Jazeera.