Bandit storm Niger community, kill seven, abduct over 200

• The Chairman of Munya LG, Mal Aminu Najume, confirmed the incident.
• He disclosed that local vigilantes, including four security agents, lost their lives during a gunfight with about 300 bandits at 7 PM.

Bandits terrorising Nigeria’s middle belt State of Niger have struck again.

At least seven people were killed when the rampaging armed non-state actors attacked Kuchi village, Munya local government area of the State.

It’s gathered that four members of the Joint Security Taskforce stationed in the area are among those killed during the onslaught.

Over 200 villagers were also abducted during the attack that occurred on Friday night at about 7 PM.

Three members of the Kuchi community who tried to escape into the nearby bush were also gunned down.

Locals, who are privy to the incident, said the bandits, numbering over 200, stormed the area at night on 100 motorcycles, each carrying three persons.

The gunmen were also said to have moved from house to house, taking time to pick their victims, who were mostly women, and broke into shops, carting away goods.

The Chairman of Munya LG, Mal Aminu Najume, confirmed the incident.

He disclosed that local vigilantes, including four security agents, lost their lives during a gunfight with about 300 bandits at 7 PM.

According to him, “These gunmen, numbering over 300, moved from house to house and dispossessed our people of their belongings. They abducted about 150 villagers, including women, and took them away in the rain.”

“For over three hours, they operated with no reinforcement from anywhere. They outnumbered the Joint Security Taskforce and succeeded in killing four of them, including some villagers.”

He stated that the constant attacks on communities in the area are due to the failure of the Kaduna State government to take adequate measures in addressing banditry, as is being done by the Niger State government.

The chairman insisted, “These bandits most often come from Kaduna State to operate in Niger State and return back. They move in their hundreds, and yet the security agents don’t see them. Even when the villagers alert them, no action is taken.”