Bandits and kidnappers launched multiple attacks in Katsina, Niger and Taraba States between Wednesday night and Thursday, killing 19 persons and abducting 75.
In Katsina, 10 people were killed early on Thursday as bandits attacked Sarki Sheme village, Faskari Local Government Area of the State.
In Kaduna State, bandits invaded communities in Igabi, Chikun and Kujuru Local Government Areas, killing four persons, including two brothers.
In Delta State, Niger Delta region, gunmen killed five persons in the Warri South Local Government Area.
And in Niger State, 50 persons were abducted in the early hours of Thursday when bandits attacked Bassa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of the State.
In Taraba State, 25 youths, who were coming from a wedding, were abducted along Wukari-Takum road.
A source said corpses of nine men killed during the night raid in Shema Village were found when the attackers left, while the body of the 10th victim was found Thursday morning.
He added that the gunmen also injured scores of people, rustled animals and carted household items including foodstuff, and money.
The deceased were buried on Thursday while the injured were moved to hospital for medical attention.
Another source in the area said there were concerns that the number of people killed might be more than 10 as the whereabouts of many villagers could not be ascertained.
He said a headcount of members of the community was ongoing to get an idea about those missing.
“And from what we have seen so far, there are concerns that more people might have lost their lives following the incident; probably they have been killed while fleeing to safety.”
He added that security personnel had been deployed to the village while some residents had reportedly fled the community and took refuge at the headquarters of the local government.
A source noted that the 50 people abducted on Thursday during an attack on Bassa happened when bandits, in their large numbers, stormed the community in several motorcycles.
The people were said to be getting set for the day’s work when the gunmen struck, forcing some of the residents to run into the bush for safety.
In Kaduna State, State Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, said on Thursday that the bandits in large numbers first invaded Nasarawa Kalgo, a community on the outskirts of Jaji under Rigachikun district in Igabi LG and killed a resident, one Harrison Ibrahim.
He added that some bandits attacked Kujama in the Chikun LGA but were repelled by local vigilantes, saying that while they (bandits) retreated, the same bandits attacked Janwuriya village in the Kajuru LG, where they killed two brothers.
He gave the identities of the brothers killed as Nuhu Ishaya and Yakubu Ishaya.
The commissioner disclosed that the bandits also invaded Maraban Kajuru in the same Kajuru LG and killed another resident, Samiru Na Ya’u.
The kidnap of 25 youths along Wukari-Takum road happened on Wednesday night when they were on their way back to Takum from Wukari, where they attended a wedding.
A source said the youths ran into a roadblock mounted by the bandits suspected to be kidnappers between Amadu and Chanchanji, taking them into the bush.
Taraba State Police Command’s Spokesperson, David Misal, confirmed the incident and said the command had yet to establish exactly what happened.
