Suspected Bandits Kill, Abduct Residents, Burn School in Fresh Niger Attacks

By Daniel Ebi,Minna.

 Suspected armed bandits have reportedly razed a public primary school and intensified attacks on several communities in Borgu, Shiroro and parts of Agwara Local Government Areas of Niger State, leaving residents dead, abducted and thousands displaced.

The latest attack occurred in Dekara, the headquarters of Dekara District in Borgu Local Government Area, where the assailants reportedly set ablaze the Central Primary School despite allegedly collecting a N10 million levy from communities in the area.

Residents, who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of reprisals, said the attackers stormed the community on Wednesday after emerging from the Kainji Lake National Park.

According to sources, the bandits had earlier imposed a N10 million levy on communities within the district, threatening to launch attacks if the money was not paid.

 The residents reportedly raised and paid the amount after receiving assurances that they would be allowed to remain in their communities without further molestation.

“The bandits demanded N10 million from communities in the district. We paid because they threatened to attack us if we failed to comply. 

Unfortunately, despite fulfilling their demand, they still invaded Dekara, burnt down our primary school and forced residents to flee,” one resident lamented.

The attack has reportedly left the once-bustling district headquarters deserted, with many residents seeking refuge in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps after abandoning their homes, farms and other means of livelihood.

Sources further disclosed that several communities in Borgu and neighbouring Agwara Local Government Area have suffered repeated attacks over the past week, resulting in widespread displacement and growing humanitarian concerns.

In a related development, suspected bandits launched fresh attacks on Dnakau, Lanta and Unguwan Kawo communities in Shiroro Local Government Area.

During the attack, one resident, identified as Moses Joseph of Unguwan Kawo, was reportedly killed, while another victim, simply identified as Emma from Bagna community, was abducted after sustaining gunshot injuries.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Niger State Government nor the Niger State Police Command had issued an official statement on the incidents.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages to his phone did not receive a response.