Gunmen abduct 15 in attack on Niger community

At least 15 persons have been kidnapped following an attack by gunmen on a community in Niger state.

Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson, confirmed the development in a statement on Sunday.

According to Abiodun, the gunmen attacked Kulho, a village near Ibbi in Mashegu LGA and kidnapped 15 persons on January 14.

He said the attackers also stormed Mashegu through Jigawa state and carted away a yet-to-be-verified number of cattle on the same day.

According to him, security operatives have been deployed to conduct a search-and-rescue operation for the abductees.

“We solicited the support of local residents to volunteer reliable information that could aid in apprehending the miscreants,” he said

Recently, Niger communities have been experiencing attacks by gunmen leading to killings and abductions.

Last week, gunmen attacked Nakudna and Wurukuci communities in Shiroro LGA of Niger and killed over 30 residents on their farms.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari, on Sunday, asked the military to “respond robustly” to the attacks by gunmen in the state.