Six Killed, Three Kidnapped as Bandits Invade Two LGAs in Niger

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Six people have been killed in Niger State and three others kidnapped as bandits invaded two local government areas in the state. Five persons were killed at Babban-Rami village, while one person was slayed at Sabonrijiya, all in Mashegu Local Government Area.
Those kidnapped were ladies and they were abducted from their house at Barakuta in Bosso Local Government Area.

An eyewitness told THISDAY that the first incident occurred on Thursday about 11.30am, while the abduction happened on Friday evening.
The eyewitness said those killed at Babban-Rami were returning from their farm in a Toyota Canter truck after harvesting grains, when the gunmen waylaid them.

It was learnt that the bandits, who were riding on motorcycles, raced after the truck and sporadically shot at those in it, killing five of them, while one person escaped with bullet wounds.
The bandits did not go with the harvested grains after killing the farmers.
The person killed at Sabonrijiya was also shot by the bandits.

The raid at Barakuta village took place about 8pm on Friday, according to an eyewitness. The bandits were said to have invaded the community, also riding on motorcycles, and shot sporadically. In the confusion that followed, the gunmen took the three ladies away, it was learnt.
The police could not be reached for comments, but the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, confirmed the incidents. Matane condemned the attack on innocent farmers by armed bandits.