Village head, 20 others killed in bandits’ attack on Niger market

• According to sources, the bandits returned in the night after the daytime onslaught and laid siege to the community, shooting sporadically

Bandits wreaking havoc in Nigeria’s middle belt region have struck again in Niger state.

No fewer than twenty one persons were killed when the rampaging bandits attacked a market in Madaka, Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

Among those killed during the attack which happened around 3pm on Thursday was a village head.

According to locals, the attackers stormed the market when traders were deeply engrossed in commercial activities and started shooting at the crowd.

Many people were said to have sustained various degrees of injury and were receiving treatment at the IBB Specialist Hospital, in Minna.

It’s gathered that many, including children, were also reportedly kidnapped while motorcycles, cars, houses, shops and goods belonging to traders were reportedly burnt down by the bandits.

Residents disclosed that the Madaka onslaught came a day after gunmen invaded Pangu Gari, a neighboring village, killing the district head and four other people.

According to sources, the bandits returned in the night after the daytime onslaught and laid siege to the community, shooting sporadically.

Sources alleged that the attackers were on the mission to reclaim the cattle recently recovered from them during air operations in the area and rustle more livestock.

Residents also lamented absence of security operatives despite that the area had come under attack several times in the last five years.

The Niger State Commissioner for Homeland security, Brig Gen. Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (retd) confirmed the attack to our correspondent on the telephone.

Though he did not give details of the attack, he said the state government was working in collaboration with security agencies to put and end to the incessant attacks on farming communities in the state.