At least 17 persons are feared killed by bandits in
Dukku community in Rijau local government area of Niger
State.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the community at about
7:00 pm on Wednesday, and also attacked a bank at Kagara in Rafi
local government area.
The attackers were said to have laid ambush on the community for
several hours before unleashing mayhem on the people.
Those killed were mostly members of the local vigilante group in
the area who had attempted to combat the gunmen but were
overpowered.
A resident of the community told Channels Television via
Telephone conversation that the bandits numbering over 120 stormed
the community on bikes with sophisticated weapons.
Confirming the incident to Channels Television, the Commissioner
of Information and Strategy, Muhammed Sani Idris however said
people were killed, but that the casualty figure was yet to be
ascertained.
RELATED: Tension In Niger Community As
Suspected Bandits Attack Bank
“Many people were killed quite okay. But, we cannot tell the
exact number of persons that were killed. We are still trying to
gather more facts on the incident, and as soon as we have an
official figure, I would communicate to you,” Idris said in a
telephone conversation with our reporter in Minna the Niger State
capital.
Meanwhile, Governor Abubakar Bello in a statement issued by his
Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, on Thursday, has appealed
to residents of Kagara to remain calm, assuring that the government
is deploying resources at its disposal to ensure the protection of
their lives and property.
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
According to the Governor, “No responsible government will fold
its arms and allow law-abiding and innocent citizens to be mauled
down.”
The Governor acknowledged the enormity of the security
challenges facing the state but assured the people that the state
in active collaboration with President Muhammadu Buhari and the
security agencies remain undaunted in its war against the lower
societal elements making life miserable for the people.
The Governor commiserated with the families of those who lost
their lives in the attack and prayed for a speedy recovery for the
injured victims.
He solicited the cooperation of the people for their useful
information to the security agencies, assuring them that their
identity will be kept confidential.
Similarly, the Police in Niger State confirmed the killing of 11
persons in Wednesday’s attack at Kagara in Rafi local government
area of the state.
Commissioner of Police Adamu Usman gave the confirmation shortly
after visiting the area with some of his men.
He said six of the attackers were killed by policemen during the
incident on Wednesday.
Usman however revealed that a policeman, a private security
guard, a local vigilante, and one resident were gunned down by the
gunmen, while a boy died from shock.
Speaking on the attack on the bank, CP Usman said the attackers
were unable to gain access to the bank due to heavy firepower from
the Policemen who scared the attackers away.
Read more https://swordpress.com.ng/2020/09/04/at-least-17-killed-by-suspected-bandits-in-niger-state/