10 killed, 24 kidnapped in Niger

Ten people have been reportedly killed and 24 others kidnapped in a broad daylight attack by bandits in some communities in Niger State.

Five of those killed in the villages were said to be men of the local vigilante group while others were young boys who were said to be supporting the vigilante during the raid.

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Sources from the area said the attack began at about 12.30 pm and continued till around 2.00 pm.

This is happening as the government has confirmed the killing of the village head of Kusherki in Rafi Local Government Area (LGA), Alhaji Masud Abubakar while his wife was also abducted by the bandits.

It was gathered that the bandits numbering over 50 rode on motorcycles and operated with sophisticated weapons including AK-47 rifle.

The eyewitnesses said the bandits started from Kasuwe village and moved from there to other villages killing and maiming innocent villagers.

The bandits were also said to have dispossessed the villagers of food items and other valuables.

In a related development, another gang of bandits were also reported to have blocked the major highway leading to Minna from Sarkin Pawa leaving motorists to scramble for their safety.

The LGA Secretary, Mr James Isaac Jagaba, when contacted, confirmed the story but said that he could not give any details as of the time of filing this report.

“My vigilante corps members are still battling with the bandits. I am yet to get a report from them,” Jagaba said.

Meanwhile, 10 out of the 21 travellers abducted in Niger State by bandits on Sunday have been rescued by the state government.

The passengers travelling in the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA)’s vehicle were abducted at Kundu via Yakila in Rafi LGA of the state.

The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mohammad Dani Idris made this known in an interview at the General Hospital after three of the rescued victims were examined to determine their health status.

Idris, however, denied the allegation of payment of N50 million ransom by the state government for the release of the victims, saying that the government’s strategies could not be revealed.

He added that if a ransom was paid, all of them would have been released by the abductors.

The Managing Director of the General Hospital, Ma-ali Isah, said three of the victims – two adults and a child – were brought for examination and confirmed to be stable.