Terrorists, at the weekend, continued to unleash mayhem in dour states – Niger, Katsina, Zamfara and Kaduna.
In Niger, at least 20 people and 11 security operatives were reportedly killed with many houses burnt as bandits in their numbers overran Forces Operations Base and launched a fresh attack on Galadima-Kogo and Galkogo Communities of Shiroro Local Government Area on Saturday evening.
Residents of the neighbouring Kuchi, Sabon Kabula, Kafana, Dangunu, Zazzaga and Chibani communities in Munya Local Government Area of the state have fled their homes as attackers were said to have been sighted on Sunday morning still roaming the area. Niger State Governor Abubakar Sani Bello confirmed that 11 operatives lost their lives in what he described unfortunate and regrettable attacks.
In a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mary Noel-Berje, the governor called for calm and urged the fleeing communities in Galadiman Kogo and Kuchi in Shiroro and Munya Local Government Areas to await a swift and immediate response from the Joint Security Taskforce stressing that their earlier withdrawal was tactical to restrategize.
“We have really ran out of patience with the terrorists and we’ll use every means possible to bring an end to this incessant bloody attacks on innocent people. We’ll do everything to stop the killings and return normalcy to the affected communities”, he said.
A report from Zamfara says residents of the Kurar Mota community in Bungudu Local Government were currently fleeing their homes owing to the incessant attacks by armed criminals.
Residents told Daily Trust that the armed men have spiked their attacks on the community in recent times despite the payment of N7 million levies slammed on them by the attackers.
“Initially they said we must pay N3m and we did pay. During the harvesting season, they warned farmers that no one should go near his farmland until we pay them N4 million which we did. Now hardly a day passes by without them coming to rob or kidnap the residents.
“About 80 per cent of the residents have fled the community. Some of them are taking shelter in Magami while some have decided to leave the district completely,” a resident simply called Isah said.
The residents said the attacks on the community are being masterminded by one terror kingpin called Dandela. They said he had been orchestrating a series of deadly assaults on communities in Magami and other neighbouring districts.
Last year, about 13 policemen stationed to provide security to communities around the area were killed by the terror group.
At least 13 people including men, women and children were reportedly killed in different bandits’ attacks in Katsina State in the past few days.
Residents of the affected areas said the attacks were a result of a battle of supremacy between opposing bandits’ camps.
Four different camps, which include that of Dankarami, Abdulkarim, Habu Rabe and one other were said to join forces against one Mani who is living around Illela.
“Mani had previously attacked both Abdulkarim and Dankarami’s camps, where he killed some of them including their family members.
“So, that is why the four camps launched this attacks, which began since Wednesday and as I speak with you now they are still in the area, looting everything and setting places on fire,” a man among the displaced residents said.
He added that they came and surrounded Illela town and three other nearby villages.
“On Thursday, they began the house-house search in the villages and by Friday they prevented Friday prayers from holding as they looted houses in Illela,” he said.
A source also told Daily Trust that they have buried 12 dead bodies so far, adding that others were still in the area but could not be retrieved. The residents said security agencies were informed about the brutal attack but they did little to stop it.
“Some soldiers were there for some minutes but they didn’t enter into the town of Illela while the bandits are still inside.
“Equally, police with two APCs came from Dutsinma but were advised to return due to the number and sophisticated weapons of the bandits. I am telling you the bandits are more than 1,500 in number,” the source said.
In Kaduna, the State government has confirmed the death of some villagers after gunmen invaded the Atak-Mawe community in Zangon Kataf local government area of the state in the early hours of today.
The Commissioner for Home Affairs and Inland Security, Samuel Aruwan, in a statement, said the heavily armed militia stormed the community at about 3am and began shooting sporadically, leaving an unspecified number of the villagers dead while many others sustained injuries, while many buildings were also burnt down.
“The state government has dispatched security operatives to the affected community and normalcy has returned. We are yet to ascertain the number of deaths so far but those who sustained injuries are currently receiving treatment in different hospitals,” the Commissioner said.
