|
Listen to article
|
Bandits have again stormed a community in Niger State during which no fewer than 42 persons, including children were said to have been killed while scores were also said to have been abducted.
The incident, which occurred in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of the state, came less than one month after over 300 pupils, students and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic School, Papiri, were abducted in the same local government areas.
This came as President Bola Tinubu directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services, DSS, to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the attack, and ensure they are swiftly brought to justice.
Also, Governor Mohammed Bago of Niger State has expressed sadness over the terrorist attack, describing it as cruel and nefarious.
Meanwhile, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has condemned the attack, describing the killings and abductions as a grave failure of the state’s fundamental responsibility to protect its citizens.
Read Also: FG Finally Designates Kidnappers, Bandits As Terrorists
Vanguard gathered that the bandits had been on rampage in some communities in the same local areas in the past few days unleashing terror on the innocent villagers unchallenged.
A dependable source from the area told Vanguard that no fewer than 37 people were killed by the rampaging terrorists in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri while another five were gunned down in Kaima village.
“Apart from those who were killed, scores of people were also abducted.
“Infact, some of the people abducted included pupils and students of the same St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary schools, Papiri in Agwarra, who were abducted recently but eventually released a few weeks ago.
“On Saturday, the suspected bandits came and wreaked havoc in the villages and later burnt down a popular market in the area before abducting an unspecified number of people including children,” the source disclosed.
Director of Communications, Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese, Rev. Father Stephen Kabirat, while confirming the incident said no fewer than 40 persons were killed apart from those taken into captivity.
“Infact, our Parish Priest narrowly escaped abduction when the terrorists visited our Mission House three days ago. They succeeded in destroying some religious items in the church, carting away two motorbikes and cash.
“They were looking for the Priest but luckily he escaped but they abducted some villagers, including children,” he added.
The Niger State Police Command, while confirming the latest attack through its Spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun said about 30 people were killed during the attack.
“About 9p.m., on Saturday, the command received reports that suspected bandits attacked and killed over 30 persons and abducted an unconfirmed number of persons.
“About 4:30p.m., on Saturday, suspected bandits from the National Park Forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji located at Demo Village via Kabe, killed over 30 persons, burnt the market and looted shops and carted away food item,” the police remarked.
He, however, said that a joint security team had visited the scene and efforts were ongoing to rescue the victims.
