The village head of Madaka, Rafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, Zakari Ya’u Idris, has been killed, one week after bandits abducted him
Last Sunday, bandits numbering about 50 had invaded Madaka community, murdered three persons and abducted the village head, for the second time.
The first time the village head was abducted about a month ago, he spent three months in the camp of his abductors.
Those killed during the last week Sunday invasion by the bandits in Madaka included a leader of the vigilante group in Madaka, Isyaku Alhassan, his son Abdulhamid Isyaku and one other person.
Scores of other persons were also said to have been injured during the attack, while many houses were set ablaze.
Chief of Staff to Rafi LGA chairman, Mohammed Mohammed, who confirmed the murder of Zakari Idris, said that the bandits had earlier contacted the family of the deceased and demanded a ransom of N800,000.
Mohammed, who said five persons were released after they paid their own ransom, stated that the bandits killed the village head after going through torture in the hands of the gunmen, as they were always beating him.
The bandits buried Alhaji Zakari Idris in the bush.
Chief of Staff to Rafi LGA noted that the attackers were camping in a village closer to Madaka.
Following the incessant attacks by bandits, thousands of residents have also fled their homes, with many taking shelter in temporary camps provided by the State government.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command said in a statement on Sunday that it has arrested a village head of Tungan-Illiya, Mashegu LGA, in addition to 10 others over banditry activities.
Niger State Police Spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said in Minna that following intelligence report received on December 25, a Police team went on a clearance operation of suspected bandits’ hideouts in Tunga-iliya forest.
According to Abiodun, “the team engaged the suspected bandits in a gun duel and arrested eleven of them while five others were fatally wounded. Among the suspects arrested were the village head of Tunga-iliya and one Summaya Bello who harbours and gives information to bandits.”
Abiodun also added that on December 25th, the Police received information that gunmen invaded Unguwan Gambo community in in Rafi Local Government Area where they kidnapped four persons.
One of the victims was rescued unhurt while efforts to rescue the others and arrest the hoodlums were in progress, he stated.
Copyright Daily Trust