Gunmen kill at least 32 people in northern Nigeria, residents say
Al Jazeera
February 15, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Gunmen on motorcycles attacked three communities in northern Nigeria’s Niger State, killing at least 32 people and abducting several others in a series of raids over the weekend. The assaults occurred in Tunga-Makeri, Konkoso, and Pissa villages, with reports indicating widespread destruction and loss of life. Witnesses described chaotic scenes of violence, including indiscriminate shooting, burning of homes, and the abduction of villagers. Local police confirmed the attacks, noting that suspected bandits overwhelmed the areas, leaving a trail of death and displacement.
In Konkoso village, at least 26 people were killed when gunmen set the police station ablaze and burned most of the village’s homes. Residents reported hearing military jets overhead but emphasized the lack of immediate security response during the attack. A humanitarian source cited by AFP estimated the death toll in Konkoso at 38, with victims either shot or slit throats. In Pissa, attackers set another police station on fire and killed one person, adding to the mounting casualties.
The raids come amid a deepening security crisis in northern Nigeria, where armed groups linked to ISIS and Boko Haram operate freely. The Kainji Forest, a notorious haven for bandits near the Niger-Kwara border, has been implicated in recent attacks. Local leaders have called for a military base in the area to curb recurring violence. The situation is further complicated by international pressure, as the U.S. government has accused Nigeria of failing to protect Christians amid ongoing security challenges.
Verticals
worldpolitics
Originally published on Al Jazeera on 2/15/2026