Bandits’ weekend laid siege on Rafi local government area of Niger state carrying out coordinated attacks on several communities in which 60 villagers have reportedly been killed. The attacks which lasted for five days reportedly witnessed the abduction of many villagers while 80,000 were forced to flee their communities.
Blueprint learnt that efforts by local hunters and vigilantes failed to stop the ravaging bandits and 13 vigilante members have so far lost their lives.
Villagers on the run said over 15 communities in the local government have been occupied by the bandits. The communities include Kusherki, Gidigori, Garun Gabas, Pangu Gari, Yakila, Sukoki, Sakaba and Rafi Gora.
A traditional ruler of one of the communities who pleaded anonymity said on Sunday in Minna that in addition to the 13 vigilantes killed, over 45 farmers and some other villagers have also been killed within the five days of siege on Rafi local government.
He said: “The vigilantes died while fighting to protect our villages while more than 45 farmers have also been killed. As I speak to you, the figure of the dead is about 60 . My people have fled and abandoned our village because bandits now use it as transit camp to keep rustled cows.”
He stated further that the bandits have established their route through Rafi Gora, attacking surrounding villages without any challenge or response from the army and other security agencies.
Sources said a group of bandits operating at Sakaba village are barely 4 kilometers from Kagara, the headquarters of Rafi local government area.
The chairman of Kagara local government council , Alhaji Usman Ayuba Katako, confirmed the invasion by the bandits weekend, describing it as unfortunate and devastating.
He could not give the exact number of casualties but confirmed that those injured are receiving treatment at undisclosed hospital.
The senator representing Niger East Senatorial District at the National Assembly, Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, cried out against the renewed attacks on his constituency by the bandits and called on the presidency to rescue his people.
The senator also confirmed the occupation of parts of his constituency by the bandits, adding that over 70 villagers have been abducted within the period under review.
Police Public Relations Officer, Niger state command, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said the police in collaborations with the military have been dispatched to Yakila, Tegina, Kagara, Pandogari, Kusherki and other villages to restore normalcy in the affected areas.
