**Fresh Violence Rocks Niger State, At Least 30 Feared Killed** The northwestern part of Nigeria has witnessed a surge in attacks by suspected bandits, leaving a trail of destruction and death in its wake. Residents of three villages in Niger State are still reeling from the aftermath of a violent raid by armed assailants on motorbikes, who left at least 30 people dead and burned houses and shops to the ground. The attacks, which occurred in the early hours of Saturday, targeted the villages of Tunga-Makeri, Konkoso, and another village in the Borgu local government area. The exact number of casualties may never be known, but the accounts of surviving residents paint a harrowing picture of the violence. In Tunga-Makeri, for example, six people were reportedly beheaded, while others were killed in the ensuing chaos. The brazen attacks are part of a growing trend of violence perpetrated by bandits in northern Nigeria, which has left communities displaced and the government under intense pressure to restore stability. The attacks have not only claimed lives but have also disrupted economic activities, with many shops and homes destroyed in the process. Eyewitnesses who escaped the violence described the attacks as "indiscriminate" and "sudden", with the assailants arriving on motorbikes and shooting sporadically. In Konkoso village, residents reported hearing military jets flying overhead as the attackers swept through the area. Another witness described the sheer scale of the attack, with over 200 motorbikes involved in the operation. The Niger State police spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack in one of the villages, but the full extent of the violence remains unclear. The incident has sparked fears among residents, who are hesitant to return to their homes as the gunmen remain in the area. As the country grapples with the rising tide of insecurity, the people of Niger State are calling on the government to take decisive action to restore peace and stability to the region. The attacks are a stark reminder of the challenges facing Nigeria, and the need for a coordinated effort to address the root causes of the violence.