Banditry: Eight communities deserted, scores killed, kidnapped as Armed Bandits Ravage Communities in Niger State, As Troops Rescue 100 Victims

No fewer than  eight communities in the Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State have been allegedly deserted, following incessant attacks by gunmen suspected to be terrorists. The terrorists were said to have killed seven villagers and abducted about 26 others in the LGA.

Confirming the development, a local intelligence source disclosed to the YATAB Network that a total of seven villages in the council area have been deserted due to incessant  raids by the suspected terrorists.  The source further revealed that the attacks had been on for over 2 weeks, adding that the major affected communities were Kulho, Sahon Rami, and Tashin-Hajiya where the suspected terrorists had been unleashing terror in the past two weeks.

He stated, “a total of 26 persons have so far been abducted from the affected communities. Seven others were killed by the armed bandits in their renewed onslaught against the residents of the local government in the last five days”.

As it is, Niger State has been feeling the brunt of terrorists attacks lately and this could be connected to the establishment of a massive camp containing no fewer than 1,000 terrorist fighters  within Sarkin Pawa community of Munya LGA of Niger State. Most attacks were usually projected from there as it served as their operational base & where the highest numbers are. 

Not until our gallant troops stormed Niger forests on Monday and combed all the bandits’ hideout in Tshohon Kabula, Mangoro, Zagzaga, Pole wire and Kazai were they (Soldiers) engaged the gunmen in a fierce gun battle, leading to the rescue of about 100 victims.

The victims comprised Men, women and their Children, some of whom had spent over four months in captivity, were rescued by the gallant soldiers in an operation that began on Monday and is still ongoing, extending to more of the Bandits hideouts in the area.

Majority of the victims were those kidnapped from Adunu, Kudami Abollo, Ishau in Paikoro Local Government and Zagzaga, Beni, Mangoro, Tshohon Kabula and Kazai in Munya Local Government areas of the state.