A tragic incident unfolded in Madaka community, located in the Rafi local government area of Niger State, as armed gunmen unleashed terror, resulting in fatalities and kidnappings.
Reports indicate that the assailants descended upon the community’s market around 3 p.m. on Thursday, unleashing a barrage of gunfire upon unsuspecting residents.
Eyewitnesses recounted that the gunmen, upon their arrival, immediately began firing indiscriminately, causing chaos and claiming the lives of numerous individuals.
In the midst of the chaos, the attackers also seized a yet-to-be-confirmed number of villagers, forcibly taking them to an undisclosed location.
This harrowing attack comes merely days after another assault in Pangu Gari, where gunmen targeted the community, leading to the tragic deaths of the district head and four other individuals.
Confirming the incident, Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (rtd), the Commissioner for Homeland Security in Niger State, acknowledged the dire situation. He assured that the state government, in collaboration with security agencies, is actively engaged in efforts to curb the escalating violence perpetrated by bandits against farming communities in the region.
The devastating attack serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing security challenges faced by residents of Niger State, highlighting the urgent need for comprehensive measures to address the menace of banditry and ensure the safety of all citizens.
