Bandits invade Niger state community, kill seven and abduct 200 villagers

Bandits have killed seven persons and kidnapped 200 villagers in Kuchi community, Munya Local Government Area of Niger State. 

It was gathered that the bandits invaded the community on Friday night, May 24, 2024. 

Among those killed were four members of the Joint Security Taskforce stationed in the area and three villagers who attempted to escape into the bush. 

It was gathered that the bandits numbering about 300, invaded the community at about 7:00pm and operated under the heavy downpour for over three hours without resistance.

“They went from house to house and selected those they wanted to go away with, including women. They looted all the shops in the community and went away with all the goods and drinks,” a source told journalists.

“They overpowered the security agents; there was no way they could have withstood the bandits because they (bandits) came in about 100 motorcycles, each carrying at least three people. They were all heavily armed.

“Again there was no reinforcement for the security agents on ground until this morning (Saturday) when some security people came, but the havoc had already been done. They operated all through in the rain,” the source added.

The Chairman of Munya local government, Mallam Aminu Najume, who confirmed the attack on Saturday, May 25, said that the gunmen invaded the community at about 7:00pm in groups, numbering about 300, adding that “they move from house to house dispossessing people of their belongings

“They also abducted about 150 villagers, including women and went away with them inside the rain. Throughout the operation, no assistance came from anywhere.

“Honestly the Council is overwhelmed with the current situation. I am not thinking straight as I speak with you because my people have lost their sleep; they have been forced out of the community.”

He blamed the continuous bandits’ onslaught on communities on what he called the failure of the Kaduna State government to take concrete actions against them, stressing that “if Kaduna State is doing what Niger State is doing, the situation would have been addressed.

“These people usually come from Kaduna State to operate and return back. They move in their hundreds and yet the security agents don’t see them; even when the villagers alert them, no action is taken.

“Look at yesterday’s attack, for over three hours, there was no reinforcement from anywhere. They outnumbered the Joint Security Taskforce and succeeded in killing four of them, including some villagers.

“We cannot ascertain the number of people that were injured because some are still in the bush; they slept there,” he added.