Over 100 Feared Abducted As Gunmen Sack Niger Communities

Gunmen on Thursday night killed two persons and abducted over 100 during an invasion of Tungan Bako and Kawo communities in Rafi local government area of Niger State.

It was learnt that the attack, which occurred simultaneously in the two communities started around 11 pm and lasted until 3.30 am on Friday.

Some residents in Kawo community, who succeeded in escaping the onslaught, said that the number of the gunmen could not be ascertained as they came in about 30 motorcycles.

The residents, who fled Kawo, said that majority of those abducted were women and their children, adding the two deceased were shot when they tried to escape.

One of the residents, who identified himself as Umar, said that there was nobody in the community as the ones who were not abducted are scared of returning to the farm.

The Nation also learnt that the gunmen made a N70 million ransom for the abductees from the two communities.
Another resident, who pleaded anonymity, said:

“They have called us that we should bring N70 million as ransom before the people can be released. That is all I can say for now.”
Efforts to get the Niger Police spokesman DSP Wasiu Abiodun failed. He didn’t pick call or respond to SMS.