• Armed gunmen attacked three villages in Niger State, killing at least 46 people.
• Attacks involved motorcycle-riding assailants, who also set homes on fire and abducted residents.
• Local police and eyewitnesses report calls for increased security in the region.

In a brutal attack on Saturday, armed gunmen riding motorcycles stormed three villages in Niger State, Nigeria, resulting in at least 46 deaths. The violence predominantly affected the villages of Tunga-Makeri, Konkoso, and Pissa, where victims were shot dead or had their throats cut. Witnesses reported a high level of brutality, with homes burned and several abductions taking place, highlighting the ongoing security crisis in the region, according to BBC, Al Jazeera, and Africa News.

The attacks unfolded early in the morning, with at least 32 reported killed in Konkoso alone, according to local security reports and eyewitness accounts. Residents described scenes of chaos as gunfire erupted and bandits set a police station on fire before moving to their next target, Pissa, where they reportedly killed one additional person, according to eyewitnesses cited by Al Jazeera and Africa News.

The assailants, described as "bandits," are part of broader criminal gangs that have been terrorizing the region for years, which also includes groups associated with jihadist movements. Amidst rising violence, local leaders are calling for a stronger military presence to subdue the persistent threats and growing fear among residents, as noted by reports from BBC and Africa News.

Religious leaders have pointed out that the attacks are part of a larger pattern of violence that has recently plagued northern Nigeria. Authorities have faced intense criticism regarding their inability to effectively manage this growing menace, which affects all communities—Muslim and Christian alike. President Bola Tinubu is facing demands to act decisively against these threats, particularly in light of increased international scrutiny, as highlighted by Al Jazeera and Africa News.