Nigerian Military Repels Attack on Niger Community

By Laleye Dipo

The timely intervention of the Nigerian military on Friday saved a major casualty in Pandogari town of Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

THISDAY learnt that no fewer than 100 heavily armed men riding on motorcycles attempted to storm the town from Zamfara State with the sole intention of killing, maiming and kidnapping members of the community in addition to rustling their cattle.

According to an eyewitness, the first point of call for the gunmen was the military base in Pandogari town but met alert soldiers who engaged them in very fierce battle.

It was learnt that the gunmen and the soldiers were engaged in the battle for “several hours” making the soldiers to seek for reinforcement from Kagara and Birningwari towns.

The source said not less than 20 trucks from Kagara loaded with armed soldiers and another 10 from Birningwari reinforced the team at Pandogari leading to the armed gunmen being overwhelmed.

It was gathered that the action of the soldiers stopped the gunmen from gaining access into Pandogari town where they would have wreaked havoc.

A top local vigilante official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described the battle as “very serious” and praised the gallantry of the men of the armed forces.

The vigilante official noted that the men of the armed forces adopted the use of rocket propelled grenades and other sophisticated weapons which devasted the gunmen and made them to run back into the forest.

He could not confirm if there were any casualty on either side because “the fierce battle lasted till late in the night, until later today (Friday) before we can know if there is casualty on either side”.

The vigilante official said they suspected that the armed gunmen “are Fulani’s who are very young at least from their looks”.

The Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, when contacted, confirmed the story, saying: “What the security men did was to repel the attack.”

Matane said there was no report of casualty on the part of the military and praised their gallantry which secured the lives of the people they are to protect.

The government scribe assured the people that government will continue to do everything possible to ensure the welfare of the security men in the discharge of their duties.

The Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for confirmation of the story.