Bandits open fire on travellers, abduct herders in Niger

Bandits open fire on travellers, abduct herders in Niger

Two travellers, identified as Zakari Benjamin and Samaila, sustained gunshot injuries when bandits opened fire on a commercial vehicle along the Tegina–Kontagora road in Niger State.

The incident occurred at Tudun-Fulani when the vehicle’s driver reportedly refused to stop after being flagged down. Sources said the assailants fired at the vehicle, hitting the two men who were seated in the front passenger seat.

Locals said the attack happened shortly after bandits abducted some cattle herders at Usalle community on Wednesday evening.

The gunmen were said to have moved the victims toward the road before attempting to ambush passing vehicles near Samaza Sauri in Nagwamatse Ward, Kontagora LGA.

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News | Top Story

Bandits open fire on travellers, abduct herders in Niger

By

Abubakar Akote

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 12:53:14 WAT

Two travellers, identified as Zakari Benjamin and Samaila, sustained gunshot injuries when bandits opened fire on a commercial vehicle along the Tegina–Kontagora road in Niger State.

The incident occurred at Tudun-Fulani when the vehicle’s driver reportedly refused to stop after being flagged down. Sources said the assailants fired at the vehicle, hitting the two men who were seated in the front passenger seat.

Locals said the attack happened shortly after bandits abducted some cattle herders at Usalle community on Wednesday evening.

The gunmen were said to have moved the victims toward the road before attempting to ambush passing vehicles near Samaza Sauri in Nagwamatse Ward, Kontagora LGA.

At about 10:30pm, some young cattle herders were kidnapped around Usalle. Afterwards, they blocked the road to target travellers at Samaza Sauri. During the attack, they fired at vehicles heading into Kontagora and injured two people in the legs.”

Confirming the incident, spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said: “On 11/09/2025 at about 12:15am, suspected armed men attempted to block a commercial vehicle with registration number MAK 238 XA at Tudun-Fulani, along Kontagora–Tegina road. The driver manoeuvred and escaped, but the hoodlums opened fire, injuring two passengers, Zakari Benjamin and Samaila, in their legs. Police operatives rushed the victims to hospital. None of the occupants was abducted.

The police tactical teams and other security agencies were deployed to the scene, but the attackers fled into the forest.

In a related incident, bandits reportedly invaded Uzange and Matachibu communities in Masuga District of Kontagora LGA around midnight on Thursday, abducting three residents.

Residents of Kontagora, Mariga, and Magama LGAs told Daily Trust that attacks have intensified in the past two weeks, with several abductions recorded and hundreds of cattle rustled.