Bandits ‘kill four’, abduct chief imam in Niger

Bandits have kidnapped Umar Mohammed, chief imam of Beni central mosque in Munya local government area of Niger state.

Twenty other members of the community were also said to have been kidnapped by the bandits.

The bandits, who were reportedly more than 50, were said to have invaded Beni and Kudani in Paikoro LGA on Wednesday, dispossessing residents of their property, including cattle.

The bandits were reportedly resisted in Kudani but operated freely in Beni where they looted shops and houses and kidnapped the chief imam on his way to a naming ceremony.

The attack was also said to have led to the death of four people in Beni and with several others sustaining severe injuries from gunshots.

The victims are said to be receiving treatment at the Kafin Koro General Hospital.

Umar Saraki, district head of Beni, who confirmed the attacks, said the invasion of the community by the bandits was the second in three days.

He lamented that the community is under siege and that they are helpless.

“They came three days ago and stole over 200 cows from Fulani Men. This morning, they came again in their numbers. As I speak to you now, they are busy looting shops and moving from house to house and collecting people’s property, ” he said.

“So far, four people have been killed. They shot another boy in the head and we don’t know if he will survive. They are so many in number, I can’t count them and they are all with gun.

“The unfortunate thing is that we informed the security agents about it after the first attack but up till now, nobody came to our rescue.

“What is the essence of security if the people’s lives and property are not save. This community is under siege at the moment and we are helpless. ”

Reacting, Abubakar Bello, governor of the state, described the attacks “as sad and unfortunate”.

A statement by Mary Berje, chief press secretary of Bello, said the governor believed that “the bandits may have crossed the river from Kaduna to launch attack in Munya”.

He added that “the issue of insecurity is a collective battle which must not be left to the security agencies and government alone.”

He called for a fresh, holistic approach to be introduced by security agencies in tackling banditry attacks that have resurfaced in the state.