Bandits attack Niger community, loot shops

Bandits attacked Bassa community in Shiroro local government area of Niger state on Wednesday.

Mohammed Abdullahi, a traditional title holder in Erena town (Gunduma), confirmed the attack via telephone call on Wednesday.

Abdullahi said the bandits who are suspected to be ‘Boko Haram’ members invaded Bassa town in the early hours of Wednesday.

“I don’t know the exact time they attacked but we woke up this morning to the news of the attack. We heard the attackers escaped from Zamfara to hide in Shiroro forest after they were fired at by the Nigerian Army fighter jets some months ago,” he said.

“The bandits stormed the town since morning and they are still there destroying shops, other valuable properties, stealing all food items and money. We have already alerted the special vigilante groups stationed at Galkogo, (a village close to Bassa) and are already on their way to the town

“As I speak with you now, many residents have ran to Erena but some are hiding in the bush. They invaded on numerous motorcycles. People are saying they are members of ‘Boko Haram’ because these attackers operate differently from the bandits that usually attack villages.

Abdullahi said the attackers had only come to steal adding that no death was recorded.

According to Shehu Nagarta, a former resident of Bassa, the bandits operated in Bassa until 6pm before they left for Magami, another village in Shiroro LGA.

Nagarta said the vigilantes and other security operatives who left to rescue the residents are yet he return.

Efforts to speak with the police and government official were futile as calls and messages were not responded to.