Bandits attack commercial vehicle in Niger, 2 travellers shot

Two travellers are currently fighting for their lives after armed bandits ambushed a commercial vehicle along the Tegina–Kontagora Road in Niger State.

The victims, identified as Zakari Benjamin and Samaila, sustained serious gunshot wounds during the attack, which took place on Wednesday at Tudun-Fulani.

According to eyewitnesses, the gunmen attempted to flag down the vehicle, but the driver, sensing danger, refused to stop. The assailants then opened fire on the vehicle, hitting the two men seated in the front passenger seat.

Local sources added that the attack came shortly after the same group of bandits reportedly abducted several cattle herders at Usalle community earlier in the 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.

One source told Daily Trust: “At about 10:30pm, they kidnapped some young cattle herders 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.”

He added that 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.