Bandits Attack Niger Community, Kill One, Abduct Nine Others

By Laleye Dipo

Bandits in the early hours of Thursday attacked Kagara town, the headquarters of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, killing one person and kidnapped nine others.

Among those kidnapped is the wife of the Education Secretary of Chanchaga Local Government council, Alhaji Lawal Balarabe, who was abducted along with her one week old baby.

Three grand children of a former Commissioner for Finance in the state, late Alhaji Tanko Inga, were also said to be among those kidnapped by the bandits.

THISDAY learnt that several people were injured in the raid which lasted for many hours and into the early hours of the day.

One of those injured was described as a retired staff nurse with the General Hospital in the town who was shot in the leg.

It was gathered that the bandits stormed the local government headquarters riding on 27 motorcycles and shooting sporadically making the residents to scamper for safety even in the thick of the dark.

“They went from house to house knocking on the doors for the occupants to open the doors for them.

“The doors to houses not opened were forced opened and the occupants beaten mercilessly before their property were made away with,” an eyewitness told THISDAY.

According to reports, the operation by the bandits started late on Wednesday at Uregi town a few kilometres from Kagara where several people were kidnapped and hundreds of cattle rustled.

A community leader in the area, who confirmed the story on condition of anonymity, said: “Three of my cousins are among those kidnapped

“We are tired of this daily invasion. We cannot do anything with peace of mind. We are always afraid that we will be attacked.”

Efforts to get the Niger State Emergency Management Agency officials were abortive as their lines were not going through.

Several calls also made to the state Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Wasiu Abiodun, were not returned.