An unspecified number of people, including pupils and students of St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State, who were recently released from captivity, have been abducted again by bandits.
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No fewer than 42 people, including women and children, were reportedly killed in the latest attacks, which left communities in deep mourning.
A source close to Kasuwa Daji and Kaima communities, where the attacks occurred on Saturday, disclosed that several villagers were whisked away into the Kainji National Park, including some students of the Papiri missionary school who had only recently regained their freedom.
The attack came barely five days after fleeing bandits, dislodged by a military operation in Kwara State, invaded Gebe and Goro communities in the same Agwara Local Government Area. During that attack, two persons were killed and more than 15 houses were burnt after the assailants looted valuables.
Similarly, about a week ago, a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) checkpoint in Wawa community, Borgu Local Government Area, was attacked by gunmen, who carted away arms and ammunition as personnel reportedly fled for safety.
According to reliable sources, the terrorists have occupied the Kainji National Park, from where they launch sustained attacks on surrounding communities.
“They killed 37 people in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri and another five in Kaima village. They also abducted many people, including children and some students who had earlier been released,” the source said.
The source appealed for urgent intervention, adding, “The government and security agencies should come to our rescue. We are facing a serious crisis across River Rofia, which the attackers use to cross over from Kebbi State to launch attacks.
“They came out of the forest about a week ago, wreaking havoc on villages. Just yesterday (Saturday), they burnt a major market and abducted many people, including children.”
Confirming the incident, the Director of Communications, Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, Rev. Father Stephen Kabirat, said the attackers killed over 40 people and abducted an unspecified number of villagers.
“Our parish priest narrowly escaped abduction when the terrorists attacked our mission house three days ago. They destroyed religious items, carted away two motorcycles and cash worth over ₦200,000.
“They were looking for the priest, but he managed to escape. Unfortunately, they abducted some villagers, including children,” he said.
Another villager, while appealing to relevant authorities, said some affected communities have been sleeping in the bushes since the return of previously abducted schoolchildren due to fear of further attacks.
Confirming the attacks, the Public Relations Officer of the Niger State Police Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said the police received reports at about 9:00 p.m. on Saturday that suspected bandits had attacked several communities, killing over 30 people and abducting an unconfirmed number of victims.
In a statement, Abiodun said, “At about 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, suspected bandits from the National Park forest along Kebe District invaded Kasuwan Daji, located at Demo Village via Kebe village. They killed over 30 persons, burnt the market, looted shops and carted away food items.
“A joint security team has visited the scene, and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims. Further developments will be communicated.”
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