Heavy fighting has reportedly erupted between suspected Lakurawa fighters and armed bandits in the Tapkin Giyayya area of Mashegu Local Government Area, Niger State.

Security analyst Zagazola Makama disclosed the development in a post on his official X account, claiming that both groups suffered casualties during the confrontation.

According to the report, the clash began after a group of armed bandits allegedly moved from forest areas in Zamfara State through the Tudun Magaji axis into the Mashegu Forest.

Residents were quoted as saying that several fighters were killed in the exchange of gunfire, while others fled the area with gunshot injuries.

The exact number of casualties has not been independently verified.

As of the time of filing this report, security authorities had not issued an official statement on the incident.