4 killed as bandits attack local market in Niger

Four persons have been reportedly killed in Niger North senatorial district as bandits terrorising the state struck at Daja and Mangun villages.

According to a source from the area, the bandits riding on motorbikes brandishing AK 47 rifles invaded Daja local market in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State on Monday evening.

It was learnt that the bandits acting on a tip-off had stormed the village market and went straight to the resident of a local merchant identified as Baira who could not be located.

Angered by missing their target, the bandits later invaded the market and started shooting indiscriminately to scare away the villagers before embarking on a looting spree.

According to the source, two people were killed by the bandits who later flee towards Mangun village.

In a related development, residents of Mangun who got wind of the attack on Daja mobilised their vigilantes to confront the bandits, but unfortunately, they lost two fighters while the bandits lost one of their own.

Confirming the development, the Chairman of the Niger State emergency agency, Aihaji Ibrahim Tanko Inga, said his agency was informed of the attack.

The spokesman of the Niger State police command, ASP Waisu Abiodun did not pick repeated calls by our correspondent.