Bandits renewed their attacks in Nigeria’s Northern region as they killed 21 and abducted 40 bandits’ in Kurege, Sabon Gida, Sararai and Rafin Kanya villages in Shiroro Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State.
And in Lere, Birnin Gwari and Zangon Kataf LGAs of Kaduna State, bandits on Monday killed four people and rustled six cows.
The attack on Lere LGA took place at Warsa Piti village in Mariri district resulted in the death of two persons while another person who sustained injuries is currently receiving treatment at Saminaka Hospital.
Kaduna State Commissioner of Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwa, said that one Dantani Maifaskari was killed and some others injured by bandits who also looted shops in Randagi village in Birnin Gwari LGA.
And in Kurmin Bi village of Zangon Kataf, sources also said that unidentified youths attacked a herders’ settlement, in an apparent reprisal following an earlier attack, which claimed one in Wawan Rafi in the same LGA.
The attack in Niger State occurred on Monday when the bandits, numbering about 300 and riding on motorcycles, stormed the four villages, shooting sporadically.
Secretary to Niger State Government, Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, when contacted, confirmed the incident but, however, denied knowledge of the actual number of the victims.
Matane maintained that the government was doing everything possible within its powers to address the problem of insecurity affecting the state.
And in Kaduna State, sources said that gunmen suspected to be armed robbers invaded the home of one Alhaji Damina where they shot dead two people while Damina sustained injuries.
Kaduna State Government while corroborating the attack said Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) reported an attack by armed bandits at Warsa Piti, saying eyewitness had informed the military that the attackers numbering about six, masked and dressed in black when they invaded the community on Monday night and began shooting sporadically.
A statement issued by Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan, said that on receiving a distress call, troops had mobilised to the location and engaged the assailants who then fled into the forest.
Aruwan said two citizens identified as Sale Muhammad and Aguno Bawuro were killed in the attack.
Aruwan said Governor Nasir El-Rufai expressed sadness at the reports and prayed for the repose of the souls of those killed.
Originally published in Daily Trust