Bandits’ Attacks Displaced Borgu, Agwara Communities, Killing several, in Niger State
Bandits’ activities have increased over the past week, involving attacks, killings, and abductions in several communities within Borgu and Agwara Local Government areas of Niger State.
Suspected bandits reportedly set fire to a primary school in Dekara town, Borgu Local Government Area, despite collecting a N10 million levy from residents.
Residents indicated that the attackers torched Central Primary School, Dekara, during an assault on the town last Wednesday.
This incident is part of a series of similar attacks that have targeted the community and others recently.
An anonymous resident stated that the bandits came from Kainji Lake National Park and infiltrated the community.
He explained that villages in Dekara District paid a N10 million ransom after bandits threatened to attack if the demand was not met. The ransom was meant to protect residents and allow them to stay in their communities without further violence.
Despite taking the ransom, the bandits attacked the district headquarters and burned down the primary school, causing the entire town to become deserted.
Reliable sources report that several affected communities are now abandoned, with ongoing attacks forcing residents to flee to Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps and abandon their legitimate livelihoods.
Additionally, bandits launched new attacks on Dnakau, Lanta, and Unguwan Kawo, resulting in one death and one kidnapping in Shiroro Local Government Area.
The victim, Moses Joseph of Unguwan Kawo, was killed, while Emma, from the Bagna community, was shot and kidnapped during the attack.
The Niger State police command and the state government have yet to issue official statements. Attempts to reach police spokesperson SP Wasiu Abiodun for comment were unsuccessful at the time of this report.
