Unidentified Armed Men Attack Beji Town in Niger State

By Laleye Dipo in Minnai

Unidentified armed men numbering about 300 and believed to be Fulani herdsmen at the weekend attacked Beji town in the Bosso Local Government Area of Niger State, killing four people.

The armed men also burnt 15 houses, four cars and 17 motorcycles.

They also destroyed the barns in which food items were stored.

Many people mostly women and children injured in the attack have been admitted at the Minna General Hospital for treatment.

THISDAY gathered that the armed men operated with A 47 rifles and matchetes and cutlasses.

The attack by the unknown gun men it was learnt could be a reprisal for the attack on Fulanis by the Gwari in Lambata village near Paiko last Thursday evening.

It was learnt that the incident in Beji took place in the night, which was responsible for the high casualty suffered by the Gwaris though it was learnt that the natives killed one of the herdsmen.

Immediately after the attack, the herdsmen were said to have disappeared into the forest.

Armed policemen have been deployed to the town to restore law and order with the team being led by an Assistant Commissioner of Police.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Bala Elikana, when contacted confirmed the incident.

“Our men have flooded the place to bring the situation to normal,” Elikana said, adding that the regular policemen were already being reinforced with anti-riot policemen.

Elikana said no arrest has been made but “our men are on the trail of the perpetrators of this crime.”

The police spokesman said two suspects had been arrested in connection with the Lambata incident.