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One killed, 10 abducted in attack in Niger
By Justina Asishana, Minna
In a related development, one person has been killed and 10 others abducted in a bandit attack which occurred on Friday evening in Gurmana Community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
Karibo, Shekadna, Kokki, Sarkin Zama, Bakin Kogi (Lagbe), Maganda and other adjoining villages all under Gurmana District were the affected villages invaded by the bandits.
The District Head of Sarkin Zama and several others who sustained various degrees of gunshot injuries are currently on admission responding to treatment at various health facilities in Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro Local Government Area.
The Nation learnt that the bandits went round the communities burning down houses and barns where yams and grains were stored.
The armed bandits invaded the communities in large numbers on motorcycles shooting sporadically eyewitnesses said.
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Speaking with The Nation on the telephone, some of the residents of Shiroro Local Government Area said the bandits have developed a new operation model which includes barricading roads and laying ambush for road users who occasionally go to their homes to fetch some foodstuffs for their upkeep and recently, they have embarked on setting houses ablaze.
The activities of the bandits have been heightened due to the non-presence of security personnel in the local government area.
The Co-Convener of the Shiroro Youths Association, Yusuf Abubakar Kokki, confirmed the incident calling for urgent and concerted efforts by the government and individuals to address the insecurity challenge in the council.
As at the time of filing the report, calls and messages sent to the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, are yet to be answered.
In a related development, the Niger State Government has restricted the movement of commercial motorcycles and tricycles in Minna metropolis from 9:00 pm to 6:00 am daily.
In a press statement by the Secretary to the Government of Niger State, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, the government explained that the restriction of movement was taken following the fracas and youth restiveness in Minna metropolis in the last few days.
He said it is part of the government’s measures to nip in the board all forms of disturbances in the state capital.
“The restriction order commences from Friday, 9th April 2021. Therefore, the period allowed for the operators of commercial motorcycles and the tricycles is now to take place between 6:00 am to 9:00 pm under strict compliance with laid down traffic rules and regulations which include the use of reflective jacket, plate number among others.”
Matane warned the operators of commercial motorcycles and tricycles to comply strictly with the directive as failure to do so will face the full wrath of the law while enjoining security agencies, VIO and FRSC to ensure effective and strict enforcement of the directives.
