At least seven people were killed and about 20 others kidnapped in Bassa Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area, Niger State, as terrorists, locally dubbed as bandits, unleashed terror on the riverine communities in the Lakpma axis.
The terrorists first invaded Bassa Ward before moving on to Roro, where they killed young men aged 20 to 35 in the community.
According to sources, more than 50 terrorists, heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, operated freely in the areas without interference.
“They warned us that anyone who refused to be recruited would face similar treatment. They stated that they used the 10 beheaded youths as an example. These people are members of Boko Haram.
“They said we brought it on ourselves because they had warned us to leave the community for them, but we refused. We were told that either our children join them or we leave the community,” according to a source.
Recent attacks in the region include the invasion of Tungan Kawo village in Erena Ward on Sunday night, where 20 people were kidnapped and hundreds of cattle rustled.
The same night, six people were killed in Adogo Mallam village in Mashegu Local Government Area. A few weeks earlier, six people were killed, 160 were abducted, and six women were raped in Kuchi village, Munya LGA.
The Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Garba Abdullahi, has not yet commented on the incident and has not responded to an SMS sent to him as of the time of this report.
The state government and the police are yet to also comment on the recent incident.