Over 60 dead, 1000 displaced as bandits sack 8 villages in Niger State

No fewer than 62 persons have been reportedly killed by armed bandits in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

It was gathered that the attack, which began on Sunday, has spread to eight more villages with casualty figures rising and about 1,000 others displaced.

It was learnt that the displaced villagers are now staying in several camps.

Senator representing Niger East Constituency Senator David Umaru said 19 people were killed in Kwaki village, 14 in Barden Dawaki village, eight died in Ajatawyi, seven in Gwassa, five in Ajayin Bataro, four others in Bwailo, three in Baton and two reported dead in Giji.

The senator called for security agents, especially the military, to be drafted to the affected areas to curtail the killings.

“I appeal to President Buhari to order the military into the area to stop the bandits. I am also calling on the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Div Nigeria Army Kaduna to deploy more personnel to save the villagers from the bandits’ onslaught.”

Confirming the attacks, the Police Public Relations Officer, Muhammad Abubakar, told The Nation on phone that only 12 deaths were recorded.

He said the command has sent its officers to the villages to get the true state of the situation.

The first attack occurred in Kuta in the local government area Sunday night, where 20 people were seriously injured. The Nation, however, learnt that in the renewed attacks, over 50 were injured and have been hospitalised in various hospitals in Kuta, Erena and Zumba.

It was also learnt that over 800 cattle have been stolen in the past four days.

Deputy Governor Mohammed Ketso visited Kuta on Tuesday to condole with the victims and donated N20 million for their treatments.

It was learnt that the bandits came back to attack the village immediately the deputy governor left.

The villages are presently under strict security surveillance.

Travellers have, however, been warned against going to the local government .