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By Correspondent in Minna.
The Police Command Niger State has confirmed fresh attacks by suspected armed bandits on communities in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of the state, resulting in the loss of many lives and the abduction of many other residents, mostly women and children.
Confirming the incidents in a statement,the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Niger State Command, SP Wasiu A. Abiodun, said the command received distress reports at about 9:00 p.m. on Saturday that some communities had come under attack, with over 30 persons reportedly killed and many others abducted.
“At about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, suspected armed bandits from the Borgu National Park forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji, located at Demo village via Kabe. They killed over 30 persons, burnt the market, looted shops and carted away food items,”he said.
SP Abiodun added that a joint security team had been deployed to the affected areas, noting that efforts were ongoing to restore calm and secure the release of the abducted persons.
Our correspondent reports that the attacks occurred less than two weeks after the successful rescue of pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of the state.
Some residents of the affected communities told the correspondent of The Reporters that the attackers had operated in several villages for about a week, causing fear and displacement.
One of the residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the attackers came in large numbers and carried out repeated assaults on the communities,alleging that they
Killed 37 persons in Kasuwan Daji near Papiri, adding that five others lost their lives in Kaiama village.
Another resident,who also spoke under similar condition,said the attackers were seen moving from surrounding forests into the villages, burnt a market and abducted many people, including women and children.
He appealed for prompt intervention by government and security agencies.
The Catholic Diocese of Kontagora also confirmed the incidents.
In a statement, the Director of Communications of the Diocese, Rev. Fr. Stephen Kabirat, said more than 40 persons were killed, while others were taken into captivity.
He added that the parish priest narrowly escaped abduction by sheer luck when the attackers reportedly stormed the mission house three days earlier, where they damaged some items,stole two motorcycles and over ₦200,000.
Another resident said some villagers had been forced to take temporary refuge in nearby bushes due to fear, even after some abducted persons returned home.
“As I speak with you, people from some of the villages where abducted school children came from are yet to return to their homes due to safety concerns,” the resident said.
Residents have renewed their appeal to the federal and state governments, as well as security agencies, to strengthen security in the affected areas to prevent further loss of lives and property.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
