Residents Killed As Gunmen Carry Out Fresh Attacks In Niger

Some communities in Gurmana Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have been attacked by gunmen.

Daily Trust learnt that Sarkin Zama, Bakin Kogi (Lagbe), Siyiko and other adjoining villages were invaded by armed gangs who operated unchallenged for hours.

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According to Co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Yusuf Kokki, some residents were killed in the attacks which happened hours after students and staff were abducted at Government Science College, Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

“Countless deadly attacks have become daily occurrences thereby compelling the affected victims to live at the mercy of hydra-headed monsters. Defenceless, unarmed and peaceful locals have been abandoned to their fate,” Kokki said in a statement.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger, Wasiu Abiodun, neither answered calls nor replied text messages sent to him.

After the attack in Kagara, President Muhammadu Buhari had directed security agencies to ensure the immediate release of the victims.

In a statement Malam Garba Shehu, his spokesman, issued on his behalf, the president had said his government is committed to securing Nigerians.

Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, also held meetings with top government officials over the kidnap at Kagara.

Describing the incident as a source of concern, Adamu had said different strategies were being put in place to address the situation.

“We have restrategised. We are working to ensure that the students are returned unharmed. We are using the same strategy as we used in the past case but it won’t stop us from apprehending those who committed the act. We have deployed our units of mobile policemen to reinforce security in the state. The group that perpetrated the incident, we know the group and we will get the people back unharmed,” he had said.

On his part, Minister of Defence, Bashir Magashi, had asked Nigerians to stand up to bandits and gunmen wreaking havoc across the country.

“We shouldn’t be cowards. Sometimes the bandits come with about three rounds of ammunition and when they fire shots, everybody will run. In our younger days, we stand to fight any form of aggression. Why should people run away from minor aggressions? We should stand and face them. If these people know that the people have the competence and capability to defend themselves, they will run away,” he had said while briefing newsmen at the National Assembly.

His comment irked Nigerians, especially on social media, where people accused him of attempting to shift the responsibility of the government to the governed.