Bandits Attack: Fear grips Minna residents

Residents of the Minna metropolis and its environs are now in fear after gunmen suspected to be Fulani militia invaded Maikunkele community, a suburb of Minna metropolis in Bosso Local Government Area of Niger state and abducted an Igbo man.

The armed men in their numbers were said to have invaded the area from the nearby bushes and rocky terrain around the Minna airport facility, shooting sporadically into the air to scare away possible detractors before heading for their target.

The abduction of the Igbo man is coming barely a year after another Igbo man lost his life in similar circumstance. While the shooting lasted unchallenged, residents scampered for safety, many ran into nearby bush while others took cover inside the weekly local market.

While the former later died in the hands of his abductors, the assailants, it was gathered had written to the latest victim intimating him that they will be coming for him after. A threat our correspondent learnt was never heeded to or acted upon by the Igbo man.

Already, there is tension in Minna, the state capital and environs as the news about the abduction of the Igbo man who is said to be from Enugu state spread and, residents expressing reservations that the armed bandits has infiltrated into the capital city despite assurances of protection of lives and properties by security operatives.

The latest abduction is coming less than two days after armed bandits attacked a village in Munya Local Government Area, killing one person and abducting over sixty others in the dead hours of the night.

Police Public Relation Officer (PPRO), Niger State Command, DSP Wasiu A. Abiodun could not confirm both attacks of Munya Local Government Area and that of Maikunkele, Minna suburb as he refused to pick calls when our correspondent called him.

However, the President Ohaneze Ndigbo, Niger state branch, Chief Emmanuel Ezeugo confirmed the abduction of the Igbo man whose names could not be ascertained as at the time of this report.

“I can confirm to you that an Igbo man, operating a provision store at Maikunkele was abducted by armed men. This is similar to what happened last year when another Igbo man was killed in similar circumstance.”

The Ohaneze Chieftain further disclosed that, “We were told that the armed men after last year’s attack on the other Igbo man had written to their latest victim, telling him that they were coming after him.”

Efforts are however being made to rescue the victim as the relevant state government agency according to Ezeugo is already in the picture of the latest abduction and the first within Minna metropolis in recent time.

The abductors of the Igbo businessman were yet to make contacts with the family on their demands as at the time filing this report.

(Daily Independent)