Scores killed, many abducted in fresh bandit attack on Niger communities

Scores killed, many abducted in fresh bandit attack on Niger communities

An unspecified number of people have been feared killed and many others kidnapped by terrorists during weekend’s attacks on three communities in Niger State.

The affected communities are Essan Lokoto, Shikapi and Koitapi, all in Paikoro local government area of the state.

The invaders were said to have started their onslaught at Essan Lokoto before escalating to Shikapi and Koitapi.

According to a resident, Abubakar Sanusi, several people were affected including some of his family members.

“Several people were affected including my kinsmen. Some were shot dead and those kidnapped were taken to an unknown destination. The numbers of victims kidnapped and shot are not yet ascertained at this time”, he said.

It was learnt that several people fled their homes to Paiko for fear of another attack by the criminals.

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Relatives of those kidnapped said they were yet to be contacted by the terrorists, a development that has left them confused about the safety, whereabouts of their loved ones.

Sanusi called on the state government to come to their rescue, adding that they were living in fear.

He appealed to the Senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sani Musa, to take proactive measures to address the menace of attacks occurring in the local government area.

According to him, similar attacks had occurred in communities along the Kafin-Koro axis, warning that no one knew which community would be next.

Niger State Commissioner for Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar, confirmed the attack adding that security forces were sent to repel and prevent further onslaught by by the terrorists.

He said there were casualties on the side of the terrorists, while some people were killed and abducted but he was yet to get the total number of casualties recorded on each side because the security agents were still on the field.

 

Scores killed, many abducted in fresh bandit attack on Niger communities

Nation