Terrorists kill vigilante, kidnap 12 farmers in Niger

A vigilante simply identified as Ubale has been reported killed while 12 farmers were kidnapped in Allawa community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The terrorists numbering about 45 reportedly launched the attack around 11.30am on Friday.

Local sources said the Friday’s attack came less than two weeks after 36 women were kidnapped at Maganda Junction, PandogariAllawa Road during which terrorists burnt down a truck loaded with food stuffs belonging to villagers.

Locals said two weeks after the abduction of the 36 women, terrorists were yet to establish contact for negotiation.

The chairman Allawa Youth Connect, Yusuf Musa, told our correspondent on telephone that the attackers rode on motorcycles to attack farmers on Friday.

“They came on motorcycles and attacked people on their farms. For many weeks now, we cannot go out of our communities and nobody comes in safely. And people are hungry. So, today, they set out to get food on their farms and bandits attacked them,” he said.

Musa said after Jumaat prayers, those who went to evacuate the corpse of the vigilante killed were also ambushed, saying that though no one was killed but the remains of the vigilante was yet to be evacuated.

He said terrorists have permanent camps between Maganda Junction and Galkogo in Allawa Forest where they live with their women, adding that residents have fled their homes to Pandogari, Minna, Gwada, MutunDaya while some have left to as far as Ilorin, Kwara State, to stay with their relations.

Residents said the military, on their way from Kagara, Rafi LGA to Allawa last week, dismantled three explosives planted by terrorists on Pandogari-Allawa Road.

When contacted, Niger State police command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, promised to get details and get back to the reporter.