No fewer than six farmers have been killed, while at least 20 women were kidnapped at the Maganda Junction on Allawa-Pandogari road in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State by suspected bandits.
A source in the area who confirmed the incident told ait.live that those killed were four men and two women.
The attack reportedly occurred around 6:00pm on Sunday, February 4, 2024 when the victims were going back to Allawa town in Shiroro Local Government Area from Pandogari, in Rafi Local Government Area, before the suspected terrorists opened fire on their vehicles.
It was gathered that the terrorists planted mines on the road, and on sighting a convoy of vehicles heading to Allawa from Pandogari, they opened fire.
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Following the attack, three people were said to have sustained injuries, and two trucks loaded with food items were burnt.
Niger State Governor Umar Bago, while reacting to a protest over hardship and a question posed by Journalists regarding the state of insecurity said, “I can rightly say that we have noticed a significant increase in security level in Niger State. Our farmers have gone back to their farms.”
But, facts on ground do not appear to support the Governor’s assessment of the current security situation in Niger State, Northwest region of Nigeria as recent reports show heightened cases of violent attacks on citizens in the areas.
(Editor: Ken Eseni)