No fewer than 42 persons have been killed, while an unspecified number, including children, were abducted following attacks by gunmen on communities in Agwarra and Borgu Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Niger State.
Sources said the attackers had been unleashing violence on several villages in Agwarra for over one week without resistance.
Residents told newsmen that the gunmen wreaked havoc on communities before abducting scores of people, including pupils and students of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra LGA.
“They killed 37 people in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri, another five in Kaima village, and abducted many people including children. Some of these children are students of the same schools,” a source told TheCable.
Confirming the attacks, Mr Stephen Kabirat, Director of Communications of the Catholic Church in Kontagora Diocese, said the gunmen attacked the Catholic mission house in the area.
He said the terrorists killed over 40 people, abducted villagers, including children, and destroyed church property.
“Our Parish Priest narrowly escaped abduction when the terrorists visited our Mission House three days ago. They destroyed religious items, stole two motorcycles, and took cash exceeding N200,000,” he said.
Also confirming the incident, Mr Wasiu Abiodun, Spokesman of the Niger Police Command, said the gunmen attacked Kasuwan Daji in Borgu LGA at about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday.
He said the attackers burnt the market, looted shops and carted away food supplies.
According to him, more than 10 persons were killed during the attack, adding that only Borgu LGA was affected.
“At least 30 persons were killed, and several others kidnapped. A joint security team has visited the scene, and efforts to rescue the victims are ongoing,” he said.
Abiodun assured that the police would provide further updates as the situation develops.
