Reports have it that armed bandits on Saturday evening, February 20 launched yet another attack on Gurmana ward in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger state.
According to the reports, over 15 people are suspected to have drowned in River Kaduna as they tried to escape from the bandits’ attack. Sources quoted in the report say the bandits were armed with sophisticated weapons and were shooting sporadically when they entered the community. Governor Sani Bello has been under pressure from critics following the frequent bandits’ attacks in the state. A source quoted anonymously in the report said: “Right now, we don’t know how many drowned. we are suspecting the bandits are still around. We cannot confirm the number of casualties now.”
When contacted, the co-convener, Concerned Shiroro Youths, Sani Abubakar Kokki said that the bandits attacked the community with heavy sophisticated weapons. Recall that the bandits attacked the same local government in Niger state barely 24 hours after some students were kidnapped. Sarkin Zama, Bakin Kogi (Lagbe), Siyiko, and other adjoining villages were invaded by armed gangs who operated unchallenged for hours. Meanwhile, Northern Youths under the aegis of Arewa Citizens Against Insecurity (ACAI) on Friday, February 19, called on the Niger state governor, Sani Bello, to work towards curtailing the growing insecurity in the state.
In a statement signed by ACAI Secretary-General, Hosea Adamu, the group said the Governor and lawmakers from the state need to wake up and face the realities, decrying the ongoing blame game between the state Chief Executive and the legislative arm of the state. The group advised political office holders in the state to liaise with President Muhammadu Buhari to restore peace and security in their domain.