At least, 21 persons have reportedly been killed while another 40 have been kidnapped in a renewed attack on communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The attack, according to eyewitnesses, occurred on Monday when gunmen said to be numbering about 300 on motorcycles stormed four villages of Kurege, Sabon gida, Sararai and Rafin Kanya, shooting sporadically which led to the death of many and abducted many.
An indigene of the area, who witnessed the incident, Malam Galadima Salisu, told journalists on telephone that he was worried over the incessant attacks, saying unless governments at all level came to their aid, the area could be taken over by bandits who operate at will.
The Public Relations Officer of the Police Command in the state, ASP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for comment and confirmation on the attack as at the time of filing this report as his number was not available.
The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, when contacted, confirmed the incident but denied knowledge of actual number of the victims.
Matane maintained that the state government was doing everything possible within its powers to address the problem of insecurity affecting the state.
