Suspected bandits have killed five farmers, abducted 18 people and burnt houses and shops in separate attacks on communities in Niger State, forcing residents to flee their homes amid fears of further violence.
The attacks occurred between October 9 and 12 in Fanga community in Mashegu Local Government Area and Kigbere and Kokani communities in Borgu Local Government Area.
The latest incident was reported in Fanga on Monday after residents allegedly failed to meet the attackers’ demand for millions of naira in levies.
A resident, who spoke to Daily Trust on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen invaded the community in the afternoon, setting houses and shops ablaze, killing five people and abducting 18 others, including women and young children.
“They set one of our trucks ablaze, broke into many shops and stole food items. They also abducted 18 people, including women and young children. Fanga has been completely deserted,” the resident said.
He said the attackers had imposed levies on the community five times but continued to launch attacks despite previous payments.
“Even after we have paid, they still come to attack us. This time, we have not been able to pay what they demanded, and they have insisted that if we want peace, we should raise the money and pay,” he added.
The resident said persistent insecurity had disrupted education and farming, with children unable to attend school and residents afraid to access their farmlands.
“We need government intervention,” he said.
Meanwhile, residents of Rukukuje community in Rijau Local Government Area fled their homes on Monday following reports of suspected bandits moving into the area from neighbouring Zamfara State.
Daily Trust reported that some of the displaced families sought refuge in Rijau, the local government headquarters, while others crossed into Zamfara State.
Another resident said farmers fled after armed men were sighted advancing towards their community through a forest in Zamfara.
A video circulating on social media showed women, children and elderly people wading through a river towards Shambo in search of safety.
Some carried food and personal belongings, while others pushed their motorcycles through the water as they escaped the reported threat.
The reported movement of the armed men triggered panic, forcing families to abandon their homes over fears of an imminent attack.
The Rijau axis of Niger State has faced growing security concerns, with suspected bandits operating across the border from Zamfara, where armed groups have carried out repeated attacks on rural communities.
The violence has disrupted farming and forced residents to flee, despite security operations aimed at flushing out the armed groups.
The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, did not respond to a message seeking comment on the attacks.
