Two days after the Islamic State in West Africa Province (ISWAP) claimed responsibility for Friday’s killing of three policemen and one motorcycle operator in Lapai, Lapai Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, terrorists have taken over communities between Mutun-Daya and Gunu in Sarkin-Pawa Road, Munya LGA of the State.
These communities are about 20 kilometres from Minna, the Niger State Capital.
A resident, Shehu Abubakar, said the attackers operated unchallenged from 5:30am at Chibani, Kuchi and Injita, and Gwada axis when communities were still observing their early morning prayers and held sway till around 11am.
“They targeted some cattle at Mararaba Dandaudu axis because there are some farmers who rear cattle there. They moved freely without being challenged on the tarred road between Gwada and Sarkin-Pawa. The situation is getting out of hand on a daily basis,” he said.
The terrorists were said to have later moved to communities between Mutun-Daya and Gunu, 10 minutes drive from Minna, the state capital.
Commenting on the incident, another resident said: “No place is safe for us again. Mutun-Daya community is where many of our women ran to due previous attacks. Mutun-Daya to Minna, will just take you 10 minutes at least and is presently under attack by terrorists.”
Travellers plying Gunu, Mutum Daya, Gwada, Sarkin Pawa and adjoining villages were trapped as the road was reportedly unsafe on Sunday morning.
Mutun Daya is also the town connecting the Kuta, the Headquarters of Shiroro Local Government, Gwada and Zumba housing Camps with hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons from Munya and Shiroro LGAs.
Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.
First reported in Daily Trust