Unspecified number of farmers have been reportedly abducted in Essan, Koitapi, Wuda, Loitapi among other villages in Paikoro LGA between Friday and Saturday morning.
Residents said the attackers first invaded the affected communities around 2pm on Friday shortly after the Juma’at prayers and returned on Saturday morning during which an unspecified number of people were taken away.
A resident, Abraham Tanko, told Daily Trust that the attackers operated for several hours during the Friday and Saturday attacks without challenge, rustling large numbers of cattle belonging to villagers and herders.
He said they also carted away motorcycles and cash while some houses were destroyed, forcing many people to flee.
The Coordinator, Kaffin-Koro Concerned Youth, Maikarfi Sabastine appealed to Niger State government and security agencies to come to the aid of the affected communities to enable them go back to their farming activities and reduce the hardship being faced by the victims.
When contacted, the Niger State Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun promised to revert with details but could not as at the time of filing this report.
In another incident, two teenage herders were murdered in Dong Kassa village of Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State on Sunday morning.
The spokesperson for the state police command, DSP Alabo Alfred, who confirmed the incident to Daily Trust, said, “We are doing everything possible to arrest the perpetrators of the dastardly act, and curtail further occurrence of such killing. The police would not take likely, with anyone who wants to disturb the peace of the land.”
According to the State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Malam Nura Abdullahi, the victims were killed on their father’s farm.
He said, “These were teenagers. We have reported the case to the DPO of Bassa and Operation Safe Haven (OPSH), sector commander of the area.
“We want the security to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act so as to serve as a deterrent to others. This is getting too much. The police have been telling us to exercise patience. We have taken it as a will of Allah. We are calling on our members to remain calm.
“The deceased include; Suleiman Yusuf (7) Jafar Yusuf (12). They are all children of one person,” he added.
Our correspondent reports that there have been increased attacks in Plateau in recent times.
