 |
Bandits assault Niger locality, slay seven |
The assailants, numbering close to 300, overpowered the local security personnel and carried out their operation for more than three hours amidst a torrential rain.
In a violent incursion, armed bandits stormed the Kuchi community in the Munya Local Government Area of Niger State on Friday evening, resulting in the death of at least seven individuals and the kidnapping of approximately 200 residents.
The assailants, numbering close to 300, overpowered the local security personnel and carried out their operation for more than three hours amidst a torrential rain.
The casualties included four members of the Joint Security Taskforce and three local inhabitants who tried to flee.
Arriving on roughly 100 motorcycles, each bearing three armed riders, the bandits plundered stores and handpicked residents for abduction, including women.
The onslaught, which commenced at about 7:00 pm, did not prompt an immediate reaction from supplementary security forces. Support troops only arrived the next morning, well after the bandits had retreated.
Mallam Aminu Najume, the Chairman of Munya Local Government, verified the assault and the demise of four security operatives.
Najume voiced his exasperation with the delayed security response and reproached the Kaduna State government for not implementing more decisive measures against the bandits, who are presumed to launch their operations from Kaduna and withdraw there post-raid.
"They also seized around 150 villagers, women included, and absconded with them amidst the rain. During the bandits' raid, we received no support whatsoever.
"Frankly, the Council is inundated by the present crisis. I'm unable to think clearly as I talk to you because my constituents have been deprived of their sleep and have been driven from their homes.
"These culprits typically originate from Kaduna state to carry out their acts in Niger state and then return. They travel in large numbers, yet the security forces fail to detect them, even when the villagers raise the alarm, no measures are taken.
"Reflect on the recent attack; for over three hours, there was no backup. The bandits outnumbered the Joint Security Taskforce, managing to kill four of them, along with some villagers.
"We're unable to confirm the total number of injured individuals since some remain in the wilderness, having spent the night there," he remarked.
Attempts to contact the Niger State Police Command for a statement were futile, as the Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached.
