Heavy fighting has reportedly broken out between suspected Lakurawa fighters and armed bandits in the Tapkin Giyayya axis of Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, with casualties feared on both sides.
Sources told Zagazola Makama that the clash began after a group of armed bandits allegedly moved from forests in Zamfara State through the Tudun Magaji area into the Mashegu forest.
According to the sources, an intense gun battle ensued, resulting in significant casualties among the rival groups.
Residents said several fighters were reportedly killed during the confrontation, while others were seen fleeing the area with gunshot wounds.
The exact number of casualties could not be independently verified as of the time of filing this report.
Security authorities have yet to issue an official statement on the incident.
The development is the latest in a series of violent confrontations involving armed groups operating across the forests straddling parts of Niger and Zamfara states, where security forces have continued efforts to curb criminal activities.
Efforts to obtain confirmation from relevant security agencies were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
By Zagazola Makama
