Bandits Kill 75-year-old Woman, Four Others In Fresh Niger Attacks

Tragedy struck Kabe Community in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State as bandits shot dead a 75-year-old woman, Amina Abu-Shaki, the wife of the Sarkin Noma of the community.

The elderly woman was reportedly killed during a violent attack on the community by armed bandits who invaded the area at about 8pm on Tuesday, firing sporadically and forcing residents to flee for safety.

A resident of the community, Mallam Awwalu, told journalists that the attackers arrived in large numbers and unleashed terror on the villagers.

According to Daily Trust, Awwalu revealed that the attackers burgled shops, looted foodstuffs and valuables, and created panic among residents, who ran into nearby bushes to escape.

He said the deceased was later sighted by the bandits along the route they followed while leaving the community and was shot dead instantly.

“The terrorists invaded our community around 8pm on Tuesday. They burgled many shops and carted away foodstuffs and valuables. Thank God they did not abduct anyone, but one elderly woman, about 75 years old, was shot and died on the spot,” he said.

“She was shot where she was hiding. She was sighted in the bush and was shot.”

Awwalu added that the woman died instantly from the gunshot wounds.

The resident further lamented that many villages and settlements within the Borgu axis had been deserted following renewed bandit attacks.

He said fear of further violence had forced residents to abandon their homes and farmlands, worsening the humanitarian situation in the area.

Naija News understands that barely days after the Kabe incident, four more persons were killed during another bandit attack on Damala village, also in Borgu Local Government Area.

Sources said the attackers stormed Damala village at about 8 pm on Friday, opened fire on residents, killing four people on the spot and forcing others to flee their homes.

One of the sources disclosed that the bandits also rustled cattle and other livestock belonging to villagers during the raid.

The source added that several houses and worship centres were set ablaze, leaving behind widespread destruction.

Confirming the incident, the Disaster Officer of Borgu Local Government Area, Musa Saidu, said four people were killed during the attack on Damala village.

He, however, did not disclose the number of properties destroyed or livestock stolen.

Meanwhile, the Niger State Government has ordered residents of communities around the Kainji National Park to vacate their homes within two months to pave the way for a major security operation aimed at flushing out terrorists from the area.

Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago gave the directive during a visit to the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, at his palace in New Bussa.

The governor was in the emirate to sympathise with the traditional ruler and residents over the recent attack on Kasuwan Daji market, where no fewer than 42 people, including traders, were killed by terrorists.

Bago said the temporary resettlement of residents had become necessary to avoid civilian casualties during the planned military operation.

He explained that his administration, in collaboration with the Federal Government, was determined to clear the forests around the Kainji Lake area, which he said had become a haven for criminal elements.

According to him, the operation would flush out terrorists using the forest as a camp and restore peace and normalcy to the region.

In his response, the Emir of Borgu, Alhaji Muhammad Haliru Dantoro Kitoro IV, pledged the support of the emirate in the fight against terrorism.

He promised to work closely with security agencies and other relevant authorities to identify, expose and prosecute informants aiding bandits within the emirate.