Barely two weeks after the rescue of pupils and staff of St. Mary’s Catholic Private Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, terrorists have again unleashed terror on communities in Niger State, killing no fewer than 42 persons and abducting many others, mostly women and children.
The fresh attacks occurred in Agwara and Borgu Local Government Areas of the state, throwing the affected communities into mourning and fear.
The latest wave of violence reportedly took place while Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago was outside the country, with residents lamenting that the attackers operated freely without resistance from security agencies.
Local sources disclosed that the terrorists, suspected to have emerged from surrounding forests, had laid siege to the communities for over one week, carrying out coordinated attacks.
“The terrorists came in large numbers with sophisticated weapons. For more than one week now, they have been attacking our villages unchallenged because there is no security presence here,” a source said.
According to residents, 37 people were killed in Kasuwan Daji near Papiri, while five others were murdered in Kaiama village. Several persons were abducted, including women, children and pupils of St. Mary’s Catholic schools, Papiri.
“Government and security agencies should please come to our rescue. We have serious security crisis across the river where some of the students were abducted,” another resident pleaded.
The villagers also revealed that the terrorists had been moving freely from the forests, burning markets and abducting residents.
“Just yesterday alone, they burnt a market and abducted many people, including mothers and their children,” a source added.
Confirming the incident, the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, through its Director of Communications, Rev. Fr. Stephen Kabirat, said over 40 persons had been killed while several others were taken captive.
The diocese disclosed that the Parish Priest narrowly escaped abduction when terrorists stormed the Mission House three days earlier.
“They destroyed some religious items in the church, carted away two motorcycles and cash worth over N200,000,” the statement said.
Another villager revealed that some communities have been deserted, with residents forced to sleep in bushes out of fear.
“As I speak to you, some villages where the abducted school children come from have been sleeping in the bush because the terrorists have not allowed them to settle in their homes,” the villager said.
Meanwhile, the Niger State Police Command confirmed the attacks. The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu A. Abiodun, said the command received reports of the invasion on Saturday night.
“At about 9pm, the command received reports that suspected armed bandits attacked and killed over 30 persons and abducted an unconfirmed number of people,” he said.
He added that the attackers, suspected to have come from the Borgu National Park forest, invaded Kasuwan Daji in Kabe District, killing residents, burning the market, looting shops and carting away food items.
According to the police, a joint security team has been deployed to the affected areas, while efforts are ongoing to rescue the abducted victims.
