Bandits kill 5 farmers in fresh Niger attack

Five farmers have been reportedly killed while dozens sustained severe gunshot wounds in a fresh banditry attack on Zazzaga, Lagbe, Cibani and Injita communities in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

Daily Trust gathered that the attack took place around 6am on Monday.

A source from the community said farmers were attacked on their way to the farm to harvest their crops. He said dozens of residents, especially women and children have fled their homes. 

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“Some of the people killed were going to farm early in the morning when they met them (bandits) on the way. They killed five people and injured others. They later went to villages but many people had already fled.

“As I am speaking with you, I am personally in Minna because these people have resumed since we started harvesting. They appear when we are on our farms harvesting. Recently, I narrowly escaped. So, I moved to Minna. Many of our people have fled,” he said. Another resident, Shuaibu Aliyu said bandits also rustled many cattle belonging to farmers in Zazzaga and adjoining communities.

Daily Trust also gathered that bandits on about 70 motorcycles were seen on Monday morning with sophisticated rifles moving towards the Hana Wanka and Kukoki axis of Shiroro LGA. A source said they moved through regular routes to Sufana – Maidubara – Rafin Gora – Gwabtai path to the Kwange axis to link to the highway leading to Minna to gather at Kwanan Barau. A source said bandits later invaded Agwa Mailamba and Injin Barde villages and conducted a house-to-house search for cattle to rustle.

The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun could not be reached at the time of filing this report.

Also the Niger State Commissioner for Internal Security, Mr Emmanuel Umar did not respond to a call and text message sent to his phone.