Bandits kill 4, abduct 20 others in Niger community
At least four persons have been killed in a fresh attack carried out by bandits on Beni community in Munya Local Government Area of Niger state.
The bandits were also reported to have abducted the Chief Imam of Beni Central Mosque, Mallam Umar Mohammed.
About 20 other members of the community were also kidnapped by the gunmen it was learnt.
District Head of Beni, Alhaji Jafaru Sarki, said the bandits, numbering over 50 attacked and looted from house to house in the early hours of Wednesday.
“They came three days ago and stole over 200 cows from Fulani men and this morning they came again in their numbers.
“So far, four people have been killed; they shot another boy in the head and we don’t know if he will survive. They are so many in number. I can’t count them and they all had guns,” Sarki said.
The chief expressed dissatisfaction with the response of security agencies to the incident, complaining that “the unfortunate thing is that we informed the security agents about it after the first attack, but up till now nobody has come to our rescue.
“What is the essence of security if people’s lives and property are not safe? This community is under siege at the moment and we are helpless.”
The state Governor, Abubakar Bello had in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Barje directed security agencies in the state to holistically end the attacks.
According to the governor, the bandits may have come from Kaduna state to attack Munya community.
Also, the senator representing the troubled Niger East Senatorial District, Sen. Sani Musa called for the deployment of troops to flush out the bandits.
The attacks, he said have disrupted farming activities which are the main source of income for the locals.
The latest attack comes few days after bandits ambushed and killed a military captain and four others in the same local government area.
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Director-General of the Niger state Emergency Management Agency, Ahmed Inga disclosed that over 2,500 persons have been displaced by the attacks.
At least 50 persons have been killed since the attacks resumed last year in Shiroro, Munya and Rafi Local Government Areas of the state.
