Six reported killed in fresh Rafi attack as Police confirm four deaths in Niger

In the early hours of Wednesday, September 23, 2026, suspected armed men launched a raid on communities in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, resulting in at least four deaths and two serious injuries. The Niger State Police Command confirmed the incident, reporting that the attackers targeted the Godoro and Angwan-Bisala communities in Katako District. Operatives from the police force visited the scene, evacuated the wounded to hospitals, and initiated a thorough investigation into the matter.

Although the initial report stated that four people lost their lives, the Village Head of Tashan-Rimi, Alhaji Garba Mohammed Bissalla, later claimed that six people were killed in the latest attack. Bissalla's account centered on an incident that took place around 1 a.m. on Tuesday near Godoro, where he alleged that the recent violence was linked to the ongoing conflict between the Fulani and Kamuku communities.

Concerned by the persistent bloodshed, Bissalla criticized the Niger State Government, local authorities, and the emirate council for failing to prevent further violence.

Bissalla accused the Kamuku residents of adhering to Governor Mohammed Umar Bago's directives for peaceful coexistence, while alleging that the Fulani attackers continued to threaten, kill, and steal livestock from local residents. These accusations could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate response from the affected community.

The village head further stated that the recent violence should be considered in the context of a broader crisis, which had reportedly claimed more than 165 lives and affected over 100 families. He alleged that a single extended family suffered the loss of 45 members during previous violence.

Bissalla also held the federal, state, and local governments responsible for neglecting the affected communities, claiming that residents had endured a lack of basic social amenities for approximately 20 years. The village head called for immediate action to halt further attacks and prevent the conflict from escalating. The police stated that their investigation into the latest attack was still ongoing.