Tuesday, 28 May 2024 04:47

Hundreds flee Niger state community as bandits kill 10, abduct 160

Rate this item
(0 votes)

Hundreds of people have fled their villages in a rural community in Niger State after weekend attacks by armed groups left 10 dead and at least 160 missing, a local government chairman and two residents said on Monday.

A year after President Bola Tinubu came to power promising to end widespread insecurity, kidnappings in the northwest by armed gangs demanding ransoms have become almost routine, with authorities seemingly powerless to stop them.

Gunmen on motorbikes first attacked Kuchi community in Niger state's Munya local government area on Friday evening, killing five residents and five hunters who tried to fight back, before kidnapping dozens of people, said local chairman Aminu Ajume.

The gunmen returned on Sunday night and seized livestock and food and burned shops, forcing at least 700 villagers to flee to nearby communities, Ajume added.

"As I am speaking to you, Munya is (a) no go area. They moved from house to house abducting people ... they abducted 160 villagers, including women," he told Reuters by phone.

Kidnapping gangs, known locally as bandits, and members from a faction of insurgent group Boko Haram joined forces to launch the attacks, Ajume said without providing evidence.

Boko Haram has been fighting an insurgency in the northeast since 2009 but Niger authorities have previously said its smaller faction had cells in the state and carried out some attacks.

The police and army spokespersons in Niger state did not respond to several requests for comment.

Maryam Abubakar, a resident, said she hid in the toilet when she heard sporadic gunfire around 1900 GMT on Friday and gunmen burst into her home shortly after.

"It was raining at that time. The bandits entered the house, searched the rooms and kitchen and they took my aunt and her two children," Abubakar said, adding the three were still missing.

Musa Auwal was in his shop when gunmen attacked on Friday but he hid in a nearby bush, he said. When he returned the next day, his shop had been looted, so he fled to stay with relatives 60 km away.

 

Reuters

December 09, 2024

Naira is appreciating in both official and parallel markets. These are the forces driving the…

The recent appreciation of the Naira in the parallel foreign exchange (FX) market is being…
December 09, 2024

Ghana's former president wins election

Ghana's former President John Dramani Mahama has staged a political comeback by winning the West…
December 08, 2024

5 quick, simple ways to calm your mind—including 1 that ‘puts a brake on the stress response,’ doctor says

Renee Onque Meditating is a proven way to reduce stress, improve sleep and keep you…
November 30, 2024

Family spends $4,500 on lavish funeral for ‘faithful’ SUV

An Indian family recently went viral for their decision to send their old Suzuki Wagon…
December 07, 2024

Bombs planted by terrorists go off in Zamfara communities; third incident in a week

At least two explosive devices believed to have been planted by terrorists went off at…
December 09, 2024

What to know after Day 1019 of Russia-Ukraine war

WESTERN PERSPECTIVE Kremlin, on Trump call for Ukraine peace talks, says Moscow is open to…
December 07, 2024

This AI-powered App predicts when you’ll die

Death Clock is an innovative app that uses artificial intelligence to accurately predict a person’s…
October 27, 2024

Nigeria awarded 3-0 win over Libya after airport fiasco

Nigeria have been awarded a 3-0 victory over Libya, and three vital points, from their…

NEWSSCROLL TEAM: 'Sina Kawonise: Publisher/Editor-in-Chief; Prof Wale Are Olaitan: Editorial Consultant; Femi Kawonise: Head, Production & Administration; Afolabi Ajibola: IT Manager;
Contact Us: [email protected] Tel/WhatsApp: +234 811 395 4049

Copyright © 2015 - 2024 NewsScroll. All rights reserved.