‘Over 20 women abducted’ as bandits attack market in Niger state

Bandits have reportedly abducted 20 women during an attack on a market in Madaka community under Rafi LGA of Niger state.

 Mallam Yunusa, a resident of the community, who confirmed the incident to TheCable on Friday, said the bandits invaded the market at about 4 p.m. on Thursday.

Yunusa said more than 20 residents were also feared killed by the bandits during the attack.

Yunusa said the bandits were sighted in a neighbouring community of Kukkoki on Wednesday before they moved to Pangu Gari village where they killed seven residents and also rustled some cattle.

“The attack in Madaka happened yesterday. There was another attack on Wednesday at Pangu Gari, seven people were killed in that village,” he said.

“Yesterday, the bandits invaded Madaka at about 4 pm. You know, yesterday was Madaka’s market day, they stormed the market and opened fire on the traders.

“They also entered the village. One of my friends, the bandits entered his house and killed seven of his family members.

“The casualty figure is said to be about 30 to 40 people. Nobody has been able to ascertain the exact figure of people who died.

Also confirming the attack, Ayuba Katako, chairman of Rafi LGA, said more than 20 women were abducted by the bandits.

“The incident truly occurred, and there were a lot of casualties. We lost over 20 people and over 20 women have been abducted and about seven people are currently at the hospital,” Katako said.

“It happened yesterday in the afternoon. It was the market day of Madaka. They burnt some of the houses, they burnt over 80 motorcycles, and the people were devastated.

“Very few of them are in Madaka now but we have made concerted efforts to ensure that normalcy is restored. As I speak with you now, I am around the police headquarters.”

The chairman also confirmed that three people were killed during an attack on Pangu Gari village on Wednesday.

“The bandits attacked Pangu Gari on Wednesday, they attacked some Fulani herders and took away some of their cattle. They also killed three people there,” he added.

When contacted, Wasiu Abiodun, police spokesperson in Niger, said he would verify the incident and revert.

Abiodun was yet to get back as of the time of filing this report.