Bandits Demand Farm Produce, Cattle as Ransom in Niger Community

Laleye Dipo in Minna

Bandits operating in the Mariga Local of Government Area of Niger State have resorted to demanding farm produce and cows from communities to stop  being attacked by the Gunmen. Each household in four communities in the local government are to give five bags of any of their harvests in addition to five big cows.

This latest development is coming on the heels of an attack on a community in Lapai local  government area of the State where 12 villagers were abducted.

It was learnt that the bandits sent the demand notices to villagers in Gulbinboka, Dusai, Ben’s and Bangi last week  after the village head of Muhoro Alhaji Usman Abara and 14 of his subjects were killed when they refused to pay a N50 million ransom to the bandits to stop their being attacked.

The village head was said to have been killed when he refused to direct his subjects to contribute the N50 million ransom.

After he was murdered the bandits reportedly  sacked the village, killing 14 people and abducting several others.

The demand of the bandits has already created fears in the villagers making them to start moving out of their villages in droves.

The state Police Commissioner, Mr. Monday Bala Kuryas, who was contacted on the demand of the bandits  said  the command was yet to receive such report, but was quick to add that the command “will not leave any stone unturned  to fortify every part of the state” adding that men of the police  tactical squad will be dispatched to the said  communities.

A report from Lapai indicates that gunmen  attacked Angwan Yusif in Kpada ward of the local government area in the early hours of yesterday  kidnapping not less than 12 villagers.

The gunmen also rustled several cattle and dispossessed the villagers of their valuable items.

A community leader in the area, who preferred anonymity, told newsmen in Minna that the raid by the bandits have become a daily affair.

According to him, the bandits had set up not less than 10 camps in the Azza forests from where they launch their attacks.

He therefore, urged the government to come to the rescue of the villagers before things totally get out of hand.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Wasiu Abiodun could not be reached for confirmation of the report.