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See the Number Bandits Kill in Niger Community, Set Fire to Homes

Published by Tope Fakinlede on November 7th, 2024.

See the Number Bandits Kill in Niger Community, Set Fire to Homes

Bandits

A deadly attack by bandits on a farming community in Niger State has left at least 10 people dead, including women and children. The bandits, believed to be over 50 in number, arrived on motorcycles and launched the assault early Tuesday morning as residents were preparing to head to their farms.

According to sources who spoke on the condition of anonymity for fear of reprisal, the attackers stormed the Wayam community in the Sabon-Gari District of Rafi Local Government Area. They began by shooting indiscriminately to intimidate the villagers and prevent any intervention.

The bandits are said to have killed several individuals, including women who resisted sexual assault, with some of the victims being slaughtered. In addition to the killings, the bandits set fire to homes, shops, and barns, completely devastating the community.

“The attack was swift and brutal. The bandits were firing their guns to create panic as they moved through the village. Some women who resisted being raped were killed. The violence lasted for hours, and the police did not show up during the entire ordeal,” one local source said.

The aftermath of the attack has left the village abandoned, with many residents fleeing the area in fear. All the victims have since been buried by their grieving families. The bandits reportedly retreated back to Kaduna State, which borders Niger, particularly the Birnin Gwari area.

This is not the first attack on the region. Six months ago, bandits launched a similar assault on the nearby Madaka community, killing over 60 people.

When contacted, Niger State Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun stated he would investigate the matter and provide further information. However, at the time of this report, he had not responded to follow-up inquiries.