‘Ten killed’ as bandits attack villages in Niger

Ten persons have been reportedly killed by bandits who attacked some villages in Wushishi LGA of Niger state.

Eyewitnesses told TheCable that the bandits also rustled hundreds of cattle during the attack carried out on Friday.

Many residents were reportedly forced to flee the affected villages namely Kalakala, Tashan Dirigi, Atari, Agwa, Kwakwagi, Pakara and Takugi.

Mary Noel-Berje, chief press secretary to Niger governor, confirmed the attack to TheCable.

She, however, said the exact number of persons killed is not clear.

Rabiu Shehu, a resident of Wushishi, said pupils were evacuated from schools in the town following reports of the bandits’ presence.

“Even though students were discharged from school, we thought it was a false alarm, until about 30 minutes later when gunshots were heard in Tashan Girgi village,” he said.

“They invaded Atari village first. They seized more than 1000 cattle; all the cows around that area were carted away.”

Shehu further said the bandits arrived on motorcycles and forced traders in the village to jump into a nearby river.

He added that there were “many casualties” including “a woman who jumped into the river with her two children”, while many of the villages have been deserted.

Adamu Suleiman, a butcher in Atari, told TheCable that ten people were confirmed dead by the villagers.

He said he had to flee the town with his family, adding: “Until now, a lot of people are still missing.”

Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson of the state police command, did not immediately respond to enquiries.