Friday morning, cattle-rustling bandits began aggressive raids in villages under Wushishi, Rafi and Lavun Local Government Areas of Niger State.
In their coordinated attacks that lasted for three days, the terrorists pillaged at least 16 villages, where they displaced locals.
WikkiTimes had earlier reported how the bandits, riding on motorcycles, penetrated the villages through Zungeru-Tegina road after crossing Kundu bridge in Rafi LGA, where terrorists wreaked havoc about two weeks ago.
“The terrorists on Friday, passed the night in Akere and Cheji villages, where they slaughtered locals’ livestock and made meals with them,” a local told WikkiTimes, adding they slept in the bush yesterday with a herd of cattle they rustled from several villages.
Locals could not confirm cases of abduction and killing at press time. “It seems they were not after people, they came to steal herders’ cattle,” another local, Isah Mohammed, said.
He estimated that over 700 cattle were rustled at Kanko, near Ndaruka village in Lavun LGA, where the terrorists waylaid two young herders who were fleeing the attack.
LIST OF VILLAGES AFFECTED
| S/N | VILLAGES | LGAs |
| 1. | Kutunku | Wushishi |
| 2 | Tashan Wushishi | Wushishi |
| 3 | Buzu | Wushishi |
| 4 | Sakara | Wushishi |
| 5 | Cheji | Wushishi |
| 6 | Akere | Wushishi |
| 7 | Sabon Akere | Wushishi |
| 8 | Girrin | Wushishi |
| 9 | Adibi | Rafi |
| 10 | Jangaru | Rafi |
| 11 | Kundu | Rafi |
| 12 | Ganu Umaru | Lavun |
| 13 | Kuba | Lavun |
| 14 | Mawogi Kuba | Lavun |
| 15 | Umaru Lalu | Lavun |
| 16 | Kanko | Lavun |
“Two young herders were waylaid at a bridge in Kanko,” he said. “They took over 700 cattle from them.”
Mohammed added that some farms were destroyed around Akere village in Wushishi LGA and Kanko in Lavun during the incursion.
According to him, the terrorists also stole some motorcycles when they were trailing the fleeing herders.
DISPLACED LOCALS STARVING
Some locals who fled their homes are currently taking refuge in Garun Gabas (Rafi LGA), Wushishi town and Zungeru, the headquarters of Wushishi LGA.
In Niger, Local Vigilantes Confront Armed Bandits with ‘Empty Firearms’
“Locals who escaped by sea are now camping in Wushishi town,” Ahmed Tanko, a resident of Garun Gabas, said. “Those who escaped via road using motorcycles and vehicles are camping in Zungeru, while some people are currently in Garun Gabas with no food or shelter.”
GUN DUEL
At press time, troops of the Nigerian Army and other security operatives are exchanging fire with terrorists after waiting for three days on Zungeru-Tegina highway.
WikkiTimes had earlier reported that the troops arrived the highway after the terrorists had crossed into the villages.
Locals said heavy gunshots could be heard along the Zungeru-Tegina axis.
“This suggests that the troops and the bandits are exchanging fire,” a local told WikkiTimes, adding that the gun duel started around 6:00 pm.
