Some local vigilantes in Rafi local government area of Niger State, say they are confronting bandits terrorising the axis with “empty firearms.”
On Wednesday, they lost a commander, Abila, during a gun duel with the terrorists who attacked Kusheriki and Katako communities in the local council. Abila was killed [in a daylight attack] alongside 13 others at Kusheriki.
After the Kusheriki’s attack, the bandits on the same day rustled some cattle and abducted four persons from Katako. One of them was lucky to escape, a source told WikkiTimes.
The source said the terrorists, numbering about 30 invaded the community around 1:00 PM. “About 30 terrorists invaded our community and rustled cows,” he said, adding the assailants went away with four villagers.
Ahmed Usman, the district head of Katako famously known as Dagachin Katako confirmed the attack to WikkiTimes when contacted.
“Yes, it is true. They attacked our community on Wednesday and kidnapped some people,” Dagachin Katako said. The monarch pleaded with the government to deploy more security operatives to the axis.
13 KILLED IN KUSHERIKI’S BROADDAY ATTACK
A community leader who asked not to be named for fear of victimization told WikkiTimes the terrorists attacked Kusheriki in a broad-daylight daylight, killing 13 persons including a vigilante commander.
“It happened at 12: 30 pm in the afternoon. They attacked our community. They purposely came to rustle some cattle,” he said. “So, our vigilante tried to repel and ambush them but we lost 13 people including one among them.”
EXCLUSIVE: NAF Jet Bombs Vigilantes Positioned to Repel Bandits’ Attack in Niger
The villages attacked, WikkiTimes learnt, share a border with Birnin-Gwari, a banditry-ravaged area in Kaduna State. The porous border, locals said, makes it easy for bandits to invade communities in Niger State.
‘WE DON’T HAVE FIREARMS TO FIGHT THE TERRORISTS’
Aliyu Hamidu, a local vigilante in Rafi local government explained that they are not armed enough to face the bandits.
“We need weapons, bullets, cartridges and live ammunition,” he said, adding: “No car or vehicle to convey vigilante from Kagara to other villages.”
Hamidu stressed that his team is willing to fight banditry within the axis but has insufficient firearms.
“We are ready to fight them. We don’t have anything to use in fighting them. We have empty arms,” he lamented.
Shehu Jigo, an assistant commander for vigilantes along the axis, confirmed that one of their leaders, Abila, was killed in the Wednesday attack.
Death Toll in Plateau Attacks Rises to 85 — Victims Get Mass Burial
“The gunmen killed our leader, Abila when they came and attacked Kusheriki village,” he said. “We lacked what it takes to fight them. We lack firearms to fight banditry in our community.”
He recounted when they were ambushed by the bandits some months ago. “If we were well armed, we would have killed many of them,” he boasted.
NIGER GOV PROMISED IMPROVED SECURITY
When contacted, Ibrahim Bologi, the Chief Press Secretary (CPS) to Niger State governor, Umar Mohammed Bago, said the government is making arrangement to confront security issues bedeveling the state.
He said the governor had recently met with head of securities in the state in view to intensify their operations.
The governor had during his inaugural speech promised to improve security in the state.
‘Bomb from the Sky’ — Survivors of Military Airstrike in Nasarawa Village Recount Ordeal
“The most compelling task ahead of us is to tackle insecurity with the intensity and urgency it deserves. Security is a serious matter as enshrined in our Constitution Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended) that the primary purpose of government is the security and welfare of citizens.
“Therefore, we shall boldly defend that constitutional tenet and ensure that security will be given a premium in our administration. Therefore, we shall collaborate effectively with security agencies at the National and sub-national levels to combat crime and ensure the safety of lives and property throughout our state and beyond,” he had said.
