BREAKING: Six Persons Killed As Bandits Overrun Local Government Headquarters In Niger State

Six people have been confirmed killed and several others injured after bandits invaded Rijau town, the headquarters of Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State, on Monday. 

SaharaReporters learnt that the attack, which began around 2pm, forced residents to flee for safety as the assailants moved freely through the town for hours without security intervention.

Scores of the attackers, riding on motorcycles, reportedly blocked major roads, causing panic among locals. 

Many parents locked up their children indoors while others ran into the bush to hide. 

The streets were said to be completely deserted during the invasion.

Shops were burgled and valuables, including food items and cash, were carted away. Several shop owners and women were among those abducted. 

Hundreds of cattle belonging to villagers and Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) taking refuge in Rijau were rustled during the raid.

According to a video clip obtained by SaharaReporters, locals were seen fleeing with women and children to escape the onslaught. 

SaharaReporters gathered that some children were ferried across without clothing, as families had no time to gather their belongings.

The attack on Rijau came just hours after similar raids in communities under Mariga Local Government Area, where residents abandoned their homes and farmlands. 

Many people from Ya-Bawa, Maburya, Ragada, Kura’a and Kumbashi villages were reported to have fled to safer areas like Gulbin Boka for refuge.

As of Monday evening, many of the displaced villagers were still hiding. Residents said the bandits had operated unchallenged in the area for weeks, with little or no security presence to protect them from repeated raids.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer for the Niger State Command, Wasiu Abiodun, said: “We are monitoring the situation. Police Tactical teams and the military have been deployed to the area.”