Residents Displaced as Armed Bandits Lay Siege on Rijau LGA, Niger State
A wave of terror swept through Rijau, the administrative headquarters of Rijau Local Government Area in Niger State, after more than 600 armed bandits launched a daylight attack on Monday, July 14, forcing thousands of residents to flee for their lives.
The assailants, reportedly riding on over 300 motorcycles and heavily armed, stormed the town around 11:05 a.m., shooting indiscriminately and taking control of key entry and exit points. Local sources said the attackers looted shops, rustled livestock, and mounted roadblocks, while overwhelmed security personnel reportedly retreated in the face of the onslaught.
“They are in the middle of town, rustling cattle and herding them into a field. There is no resistance. Even the security forces have run away and left us to our fate,” said Ridwan Mahmoud, a resident who spoke via phone.
The bandits’ invasion triggered mass displacement, with many residents—some already living in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps due to previous attacks in Bangi and Gulbin Boka—fleeing into surrounding bushes and farmlands. Others reportedly trekked long distances to safer villages in neighboring Kebbi State, including Bunu and Gamji.
“They came in hundreds, shooting into the air and looting shops. People ran into the bush and nearby villages. We haven’t seen this kind of fear before,” another fleeing resident told News Express.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that at least five people were killed during the assault, while several others sustained injuries.
The Chairman of Rijau Local Government Council, Hon. Danladi Uganda, confirmed the attack in a phone interview, describing the situation as dire.
“Yes, the siege is still ongoing. They invaded the town on over 200 motorcycles. They are currently operating near the police divisional headquarters, close to the central mosque. I can’t yet confirm the number of casualties,” he said.
Uganda added that he was at the Kontagora Army Barracks for an emergency meeting with the military. He disclosed that the Army Commander had approved the deployment of 100 troops to Rijau, who would initially be stationed in Gulbin Boka pending the establishment of a secure base in Rijau itself.
However, the chairman lamented that bad weather had prevented the use of aerial surveillance drones and blamed local informants for tipping off the bandits about the presence of cattle in the area.
“These informants are our major problem,” he said.
Responding to allegations that military troops were withdrawn from Rijau days before the attack, Uganda clarified: “That’s not true. The troops were actually redeployed to Bangi, Warari, and other troubled areas as part of ongoing operations before this attack occurred.”
The ripple effect of the attack also reached Tungan Magajiya, where students and staff of the School of Health Technology reportedly abandoned their hostels and classrooms out of fear.
“We are not safe. Everyone is running—students, staff, and even the local community. We were alerted that the bandits are heading toward our school. Many are injured and frightened,” said Karimat Mustapha, a student of the institution.
As of the time of filing this report, neither the Niger State Government nor security agencies had issued an official statement regarding the incident.
