By Wole Mosadomi, Minna
Suspected bandits have launched a deadly attack on Baga community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killing at least five residents and abducting about 150 others.
According to a local source, the heavily armed gunmen stormed the community with sophisticated weapons and explosives, setting several houses ablaze and leaving widespread destruction in their wake.
Residents who attempted to flee into nearby bushes for safety were reportedly shot, while many others were rounded up and taken away by the attackers. The source added that the assailants were believed to have invaded from neighbouring Kaduna State.
Local vigilante members who tried to resist the attack were overpowered, with several sustaining serious gunshot injuries and currently receiving treatment at a medical facility.
“We could see thick smoke rising from different parts of the community, indicating that Baga and nearby villages had been set on fire,” the source said.
Security personnel have since been deployed to the area in a bid to restore calm and rescue the abducted victims.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Shiroro Local Government Area, Ishyaku Bawa, stated that lives were lost and several others injured.
“Yes, bandits invaded the community. Some villagers were killed, while others sustained injuries. We are currently at the hospital attending to the victims, and I cannot provide further details at this time,” he said.
