By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

A wave of panic has gripped communities in Niger State following the siege laid by over 600 armed bandits on Rijau, the headquarters of Rijau Local Government Area of Nigeria State, in North Central Nigeria.

The bandits forced thousands of residents to flee their homes and the displaced persons IDP camps from previous attacks of Bangi and Gulbin Boka to join in the flight to bushes and farms.

According to local sources, the gunmen, heavily armed and riding on over 300 motorcycles, stormed the area in the town by 11:05am of Monday, July 14, 2025, still firing sporadically and taking control of major roads and entry points into the town.

"They are in the middle of the town now rustling cattle and assembling them at a field without any resistance because even the security forces have ran away and left us to our faith," Ridwan Mahmoud said on phone.

"My family has joined many displaced persons in trekking to neighbouring villages of Bunu and Gamji in neighbouring Kebbi State, for safety. They killed five people.

“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,” a fleeing resident said.

Residences also confirmed that the attack persisted for hours, with the bandits mounting roadblocks, rustling cattle and shooting sporadically.

The Rijau Local Government Council Chairman, Danladi Uganda confirmed the siege when our reporter contacted him on phone.

The chairman said: "Yes, the siege on Rijau by this Bandits is still ongoing. They invaded the town on over 200 motorcycles, rustling cattle. They are currently operating near the Police Divisional Headquarters close to the central mosque. I have no confirmation of the casualty.

"I am currently at the Kontagora Army Barracks holding meeting with the Army Commander who has deployed 100 troops to Rijau for reinforcement. They troops will be camped at Gulbin Boka before we get a camp for them in Rijau.

"We understand that drones cannot be deployed due to bad weather.

"Informants were the ones who informed the bandits of the present of cattle. It’s unfortunate. They are our major problem."

While responding to allegation of withdrawing troops days before the invasion by the bandits, the Chairman said: "It is not true, the troops were actually deployed to Bangi, Warari and other troubled areas for operation, prior to this attack.”

Karimat Mustapha, a female student of School of Health Technology, Tungan Magajiya, said: "We are not safe. The staff and students in school and off campuses and the community have also abandoning schools and homes to run inside bush for safety. We were alerted that they are coming towards the school in Tungan Magajiya town. We need help, many of us are injured and excited!"

The Niger State Government and security agencies are yet to issue an official statement as of the time of filing this report.