Bandits Attack Niger Communities, Kill One, Kidnap 50

Laleye Dipo in Minna

One person has been confirmed killed, while more than 50 others, including women and children, have been kidnapped in separate bandits’ attacks on two communities in Niger State.

The dead person was in Tsoho Kabula community in Munya Local Government Area where no fewer than 20 people were kidnapped and scores of cattle rustled.  

The incident occured between Tuesday and Wednesday.

The second attack took place in Girigori  community of Rafi Local Government where 35 people mostly women and girls were kidnapped Thursday morning.

The attack on Tsoho Kabula, according to sources, spread to Zagzaga but the villagers were reported to have got wind of the impending invasion leading to their fleeing into the bush.

According to a reliable source, the local vigilante that had provided security for the people in the area were reported to have been asked to withdraw their services by yet unknown authority only for the bandits to invade the community a day after.

“Less than 24 hours after our men moved out, the bandits struck, attacking our people who were not given any protection,” the source said. 

It was learnt that the kidnappers have not  made any contact with the families of the kidnapped. 

As a result of the heightening insecurity in the area, the villagers are now moving out in large numbers to safer locations especially  Sarkinpawa, the headquarters of the local government, thereby abandoning their farmlands in the process.

The report of the incident at Girigori is still sketchy but one of those who escaped being kidnapped told sympathisers that the gunmen did not kill anyone.

“They only kidnapped people especially women and girls,” he said.

When contacted, the Permanent Secretary in charge of security, Ahaji Tariq Abdulkhareem, said he was yet to receive the report.

“Give me sometime for me to contact the relevant agencies, I will get back to you later,” he said.

As at the time of this report, repeated calls made to his cell phones were not responded to.

The state Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, also did not respond to calls made to his cell phone or reply text message sent to him.