At least 33 people have now been confirmed dead following a violent attack by suspected gunmen in Niger State, with search operations still ongoing for missing residents.
The assault, which targeted Bagna and neighbouring communities in Shiroro Local Government Area, left several others unaccounted for as panic spread across the area.
Residents said the number of casualties increased after additional bodies were discovered during coordinated search efforts involving security forces, local vigilantes, and hunters.
A community member explained that the recovery of more victims, including security personnel, pushed the death toll significantly higher than earlier reported figures.
Another source within the community confirmed that search teams are still combing nearby bushes and surrounding settlements, raising concerns that the number of fatalities could rise further.
According to locals, the incident occurred on a busy market day, a factor believed to have contributed to the high number of casualties due to increased human activity in the area.
There were also indications that the attackers overran local security presence during the raid, enabling them to inflict heavy damage before retreating.
A youth leader in the area stated that while 33 deaths have been verified, efforts are still underway to establish the full scale of the tragedy.
As of the time of reporting, authorities have yet to issue a detailed official statement on the incident.
The attack has once again highlighted ongoing security challenges in parts of northern Nigeria, with residents urging the government to intensify efforts to protect lives and restore confidence in affected communities.
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