Bandits kill seven, abduct scores in Niger community

Bandits kill seven, abduct scores in Niger community

By Chika Otuchikere

Bandits have killed four security task force members and three villagers in a midnight attack in which no fewer than 200 locals were also abducted in Niger State.

Members of the Kuchi community in the Munya Local Government Area of Niger State where the bandits invaded described the attack as the worst of its kind in the last five years.

The incident occurred on Friday night during which the bandits were said to have defied a heavy downpour causing pandemonium as the residents fled their homes into nearby communities and bushes.

One of the residents who spoke on the condition of anonymity said among those killed were four members of the Joint Security Taskforce stationed in the area. Three villagers who attempted to escape into the bush were also killed as they tried to run into the bush.

The resident said although they could not count the abducted victims, more than 200 villagers were taken away by the bandits.

“The bandits, numbering about 300 operated under the heavy downpour for over three hours without any resistance.

“They went from house to house selecting those they wanted to take away, including women and children. They looted all the shops in the community and carted away goods and drinks.

“They overpowered the security agents who were also looking for a way of escape. The bandits came in about 100 motorcycles each carrying at least three people who were all heavily armed.

“Again, there was no reinforcement for the security agents on the ground until this morning (Saturday) when some security people came, but the havoc had already been done. The bandits operated all through inside the rain,” the resident added.

This attack is coming on the heels of another that happened barely two weeks ago when suspected bandits ambushed and abducted 30 people from two commercial vehicles along Mangoro village, about 15 kilometres from Sarkin Pawa, the headquarters of the local government.

The 30 abducted passengers were reportedly returning from a local market and were heading to Kaduna State when the incident occurred. They have not regained their freedom as of the time of filing this report.

The Chairman of Munya Local Government,  Aminu Najume who was contacted confirmed Friday’s attack saying four security agents, including local vigilantes were killed by the bandits.

The chairman said that the bandits invaded the community at about 7 pm in groups, numbering about 300, adding that “they move from house to house dispossessing people of their belongings.

His words, “They also abducted about 150 villagers, including women and went away with them inside the rain. Throughout the operation by the bandits, no assistance came from anywhere.

“Honestly the Council is overwhelmed with the current situation. I am not thinking straight as I speak with you because my people have lost their sleep, they have been forced out of the community”.

Najume blamed the continuous bandits’ onslaught on communities in his local government on what he termed, “the failure of the Kaduna State Government to take concrete actions against them,” stressing that “if Kaduna State is doing what Niger State is doing, the situation would have been addressed.

“These people usually come from Kaduna State to operate in Niger state and return. They move in their hundreds and yet the security agents don’t see them, even when the villagers alert them, no action is taken.

“Look at Friday’s attack, for over three hours, there was no reinforcement from anywhere. They out-numbered the Joint Security Taskforce and succeeded in killing four of them, including some villagers.

“We cannot ascertain the number of people that were injured because some of the victims are still in the bush, they slept there,” he added.

PUNCH Online reports that Niger State has been a hotbed of bandits and terrorists who wreak havoc on the residents and defy military actions to contain them.

Nearly two weeks after the Assistant Comptroller of Corrections in Minna, Niger State, Abdulrahman Gegele, was kidnapped by bandits in the forest, the command said Gegele regained his freedom on May 2. https://punchng.com/kidnapped-civil-defence-officer-regains-freedom/

Source: https://punchng.com/bandits-kill-seven-abduct-scores-in-niger-community/

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