Bandits have sustained attacks on Zoma, Yangalo, Masamagu, Atabo and other neighbouring communities in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State forcing villagers to flee to Kontagora town, the Headquarters of Kontagora Local Government Area.
The attack which was first launched on Thursday evening was said to be still ongoing as of the time of filing this report in which many people were feared dead, many others kidnapped, several others were injured and dozens fled their homes.
When contacted, the Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to get back but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
But the Chairman of Magama Local Government, Safiyanu Ibeto, confirmed the attacks.
Some of the villagers who spoke with Daily Trust on Sunday said the attackers had been operating since Thursday without any security intervention.
“Even when we tell them, they don’t respond. We are left in the mercy of bandits,” one of the residents said.
An elderly woman, Khadijah Abdullahi, said two of her married daughters – mothers of five and three children – were among the abductees.
An escapee, Safiya Abdullahi, said, “When we saw them, I ran and climbed a mountain. I didn’t know that some of them saw me where I was hiding. I covered myself with my hijab. They were on about 30 motorcycles. So, they came to meet me and they asked what I was doing there. I said I was afraid of them. Luckily for me, they asked me to leave immediately. That was how I escaped.”
Another fleeing villager, Shamsudeen Abdulmalik Atabo, said the bandits started the operation in the three communities around 12pm and were still there as of Saturday evening.
“My brother’s wife was among those kidnapped. I am currently in Kontagora where I am staying with a relative of mine,” he said.
As at the time of filing this report, Daily Trust on Sunday gathered that the bandits were still operating in Yangalo, the major town where they had gathered rustled cows.
The fleeing villagers were said to have taken refuge in Usubu, a suburb of Kontagora.