Banditry: 24 hrs after Niger gov’s threat, death toll hits 62, 8 villages sacked, over 1000 displaced

Death toll in the attacks in Shiroro local government area of Niger state has risen to over 60 as bandits continued the savage, sacking eight more villages and displacing over 1,000 people.

 Our correspondent gathered that the casualty figure had risen from the initial 12 when the attack was first reported Sunday as the hoodlums spread to more villages.

Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello was Wednesday reported to have threatened to make the state unsafe for the bandits.

The governor said this through his deputy, Alhaji Ahmed Ketso, during a visit to communities recently attacked by bandits in Shiroro local government area of the state.
The governor assured residents of the state that securing their lives and property was of utmost priority to his administration.
At Kuta during a condolence visit, Ketso said the governor was seriously concerned about the incessant attacks on defenseless citizens, saying “government will not tolerate these criminals any longer.”

And bandits strike

 Notwithstanding the threat, however, the hoodlums struck barely 24 hours after, killing residents and sacking several villages.

It was learnt that several injured persons were rushed to various hospitals in Kuta, Erena and Zumba with the displaced villagers seeking refuge in seven IDPs’ camps.

 The report made available to journalists Thursday by Senator David Umaru in whose constituency of Niger East the massacre occurred, indicated that within the last six days, 19 persons were killed in Kwaki village, 14 in Barden Dawaki village and 8 in Ajatawyi village.

 Also, 7 persons were reportedly killed in Gwassa, 5 in Ajayin Bataro, 4 others in Bwailo, 3 in Baton village and 2 in Giji village.

 Blueprint also learnt that over 800 herds of cattle were rustled during the period.

 Speaking to our correspondent, Senator Umaru appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to rescue of Niger East constituents from the ravaging bandits.

 He said: “I am in pains and sorrow over the killing of my people by bandits who have occupied most of our communities in the past few days. It is horrible that over 69 people have been killed and 1,000 displaced and yet there is no respite for the good people of my constituency.”

 The lawmaker said it had become apparent that the situation was beyond the capacity of the police and “therefore 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 Division, Nigeria Army Kaduna to deploy more personnel to save the villagers from the onslaught of the bandits.”

 Umaru called on the state government to give priority attention to the provision of adequate logistics to assist security agencies in the area.

 Police speak

The state’s Police Public Relations Officer Muhammad Abubakar, while confirming the spate of killings, however, said only 12 deaths were recorded.

He said police officers had been sent to the villages to get the correct situation in the affected areas.

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