Bandits invade Niger communities, set houses ablaze

By LALEYE DIPO, Minna

Bandits Monday morning invaded communities in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State setting houses ablaze and kidnapping villagers.

As at the time of filing this report, the bandits are still on the sacking spree of the communities.

THISDAY learnt that the villages already overun by the bandits included New Kachiwe, Zagzaga and old Kabila.

The bandits, numbering no fewer than 60 and riding on motorcycles, as well as armed with sophisticated weapons, were also said to be expanding their operations to other villages in the area.

It was not known how many people have been killed or kidnapped because the entire area was still in total confusion with people running for their dear lives.

According to an eyewitness, who spoke to THISDAY on phone, several people have been trapped on their farms, while many villagers were seen in lorries trying to escape the war zone.

He said where the people will settle will be another problem because there is no IDP camp in the area.

The affected communities are just a few kilometres from Sarkin-Pawa, the headquarters of the local government, where security men are stationed, but the eyewitness said there has been no action from the security agents.

He said that the local vigilante, who tried to repel the bandits, were overwhelmed by the number of the bandits and their superior fire power so they had to beat a retreat.

THISDAY further gathered that in the absence of regular security operatives, the local government has sought the assistance of local vigilante from a nearby local government.

It was gathered that the ultimate aim of the bandits is to settle in the already conquered villages, according to the eyewitness.

When contacted, the Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed Matane, confirmed the story, saying: “It is just happening so I cannot give you any details.”

Matane however said government and the security agencies will take action that will lead to the bandits being sacked from the areas already overtaken, adding that the armed men could have infiltrated the area from Kaduna and Zamfara States, the states Niger State shares boundaries with in the axis. (THISDAY)