AT least 42 people have been killed and an unconfirmed number abducted, including schoolchildren, following a series of coordinated bandit attacks on communities in Agwarra and Borgu Local Government Areas of Niger State.
Residents and local sources said the attacks, which have persisted for over a week, were carried out with little resistance due to the absence of security personnel in the affected areas.
According to the source, “they tied the hands of 37 people from behind and slaughtered them in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri, while another five were killed in Kaima village.
“They also abducted many people, including children, some of whom are pupils and students of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwarra Local Government Area.”
“The government and security agencies should come to our aid. We are facing a serious crisis across the river where these students were taken from,” the source added.
Residents further revealed that a local market was set ablaze on Saturday, with shops looted and food items carted away, while more villagers ncluding children were taken hostage.
Confirming the attack on a Catholic mission, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Father Stephen Kabirat, said the attackers also targeted church property during the raid.
“Our parish priest narrowly escaped abduction when the attackers came to the mission house three days ago,” Kabirat said.
“They vandalised parts of the church, took away two motorcycles and cash amounting to over ₦200,000, and abducted some villagers, including children.”
Another resident, who appealed to authorities for urgent intervention, said fear had displaced entire communities.
“As I speak to you, people from some of the villages where the abducted schoolchildren come from are sleeping in the bushes after returning home, out of fear of further attacks,” the villager said.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command has confirmed the attacks. In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the command received reports of a deadly bandit invasion on Saturday night.
“At about 9:00 pm, the police received information that suspected bandits attacked communities in Borgu LGA, killing over 30 persons and abducting an unconfirmed number of people,” the statement read.
Abiodun explained that earlier in the day, at about 4:30 pm, bandits believed to have emerged from the National Park Forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji in Demo village, where they killed residents, burned the market, and looted shops.
He added that a joint security team had visited the affected areas and that efforts were ongoing to rescue abducted victims and restore calm.
“Further developments will be communicated,” the police spokesperson said.