Eleven persons were reportedly killed Tuesday night following the invasion of Kukoki village in Rafi local government area of Niger state by armed bandits
The bandits were also reported to have abducted the district head of Madaka, Alhaji Zakari Yau, his wife, as well as the village head of Kukoki, whose name could not be immediately ascertained.
This is coming barely 48 hours after another 11 persons were killed in another community in Koki, Shiroro local government, in a Sunday morning attack while they were preparing for church service.
The district council secretary (name yet uncertain), who is a retired soldier, was among the victims.
It was reliably gathered that the bandits, numbering over 20 stormed the district at about 10pm Tuesday and started shooting sporadically into the air before they burgled the villagers’ houses.
The bandits, who rode on about 15 motorcycles, were said to have ransacked houses and shops in the community and looted foods and other valuables, including cattle and sheep.
A source close to Kukoki village, told our correspondent that the hoodlums operated for several hours and later fled into the bush before the arrival of security agents.
Govt confirms devt
In an apparent confirmation of the incidents, the state government said it has mobilised security operatives to carryout air and land surveillance with the sole aim of tracking and arresting the bandits terrorising the communities.
Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, in a statement issued Wednesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Mrs. Mary Noel Berje, said security operatives have been directed ”to fish and flush out the bandits terrorising the communities.”
“Niger state government is working alongside security apparatus in the state to stem the tide of pandemonium at the flash points, so as to bring succour and peace to the affected and surrounding communities
“The state government is aware that the bandits are crossing over from neighbouring states such as Zamfara and Kaduna axis to Allawa and Erena axis, and from Brini-Gwari adjacent Kamuku National Park, we will do everything to stop their migration into the state,” the statement said.
Efforts to get police reaction to the incident were not successful.
Police arrest kidnappers, robbers
Meanwhile, the Kano state police command said it arrested six suspected kidnappers and four robbers in addition to rescuing one abducted victim within the last one week.
The state police commissioner, Mr. Habu Sani stated this Wednesday while addressing journalists in Kano.
“With renewed vigor and determination, sustained Puff-Adder Operations, Community Policing Engagements, the launching of Police Campaign Against Daba and Other Vices (POCADOV) and Technical Support Operations (TSO), tremendous successes were achieved in the last one week,” he said.
He said the command also apprehended two suspected tricycle snatchers after they were trailed to Gusau, Zamfara state, saying one snatched tricycle was recovered from the suspects.
He said four suspected motorcycles snatchers were arrested and two motorcycles recovered from the suspects within the period under review.
Similarly the commissioner said 79 suspected miscreants popularly known as ‘Yan Daba were arrested with assorted weapons such as machetes, knives, clubs, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons.
Others were 60 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be hemp and other large quantity of assorted illicit drugs also recovered from them.
He said two suspects were also arrested in possession of Tramadol tablets valued at N2.4 million, while two other suspects were nabbed in possession of 48 cartons of Astinum Tabs and Cold Tabs suspected to be fake.
“Two suspects were arrested at various locations within the state and seven vehicles were recovered. Suspects are giving useful information for more recoveries and arrest,” the commissioner said.
He said items recovered from the suspects included one locally made gun, two empty shells of cartridges, knives and horns, three tricycles, six motorcycles and one Sumsung Galaxy handset valued at N240, 000.
“A tricycle was also intercepted loaded with 34 parcels of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp,” he added.
The commissioner said as soon as investigation was completed, the suspects would be charged to court.
Senate condemns killings
In a related development, the Senate Wednesday condemned the incessant spate of killings resulting from militancy, cult activities, boundary disputes and kidnappings in Boki local government area of Cross River state.
The lawmakers urged Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu to ensure better security of lives and properties in the area.
These formed part of resolutions reached by the Senate sequel to the consideration of a motion sponsored by Senator Sandy Onor (PDP, Cross River Central).
Onor, in his motion, lamented that “Boki local government area has been plagued by incessant cult activities, land and boundary disputes and most recently, kidnapping, which have claimed a good number of lives and destroyed properties.”
“On October 22, 2019, in Okundi Community, four young men were killed in what appeared to be a clash between these cultists and the community.
“There is still crises related to the way and manner the Boki oil palm estates are presently managed.
“More recently, on November 23, 2019, three non-indigenes who reside in Boje community were kidnapped,” the lawmaker said.
