Bandits Kill 7, Kidnap 150 In Munya, 25 Gunmen Neutralised In Niger State

Chairman of Munya local government council of Niger state, Malam Aminu Najume, has cried out for the rescue of his people from incessant terrorists’ attacks.

Najume stated this at the weekend while confirming the invasion of Kuchi communities Friday night during which seven people were killed and 150 others abducted.

Najume also confirmed that those killed included four security personnel, vigilantee and other villagers.

However, he said the security personnel in the area displayed gallantry by killing over 25 of the terrorists in a gun duel.

He disclosed that the gunmen invaded the community at about 7:00pm in groups, numbering about 300. “They moved from house to house and dispossessing people of their belongings. They also abducted about 150 villagers, including women and went away with them inside the rain. 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 said.

The council boss blamed the continuous onslaught by the terrorists on communities in his local government area on failure of the Kaduna state government to flush them out of the forest bordering the area.

He said: “These people usually come from Kaduna state to operate in Niger state 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, (Friday night), the bandits operated 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,” Najume explained.

Speaking further, he said: ”They went from house to house selecting 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.”

The terrorists, according to him, stormed the community with about 100 motorcycles with each carrying at least three people, and “were all heavily armed.”