Chaos In Niger: Farmers Gunned Down, Entire Families Kidnapped In Night Of Terror

Bandits Kill Six Farmers, Abduct Dozens in Fresh Attacks on Niger Communities

The relentless wave of violence in Niger State intensified on Monday as armed bandits launched coordinated assaults on Rijau and Mariga Local Government Areas, killing at least six farmers and abducting scores of residents, according to iReporter Online.

The latest raid occurred in Rijau town, the administrative center of Rijau LGA, where heavily armed attackers stormed the community in broad daylight. Eyewitnesses said the assailants operated for over two hours, moving from house to house, looting shops, carting away food items, and rustling hundreds of cattle that belonged to internally displaced persons (IDPs) sheltering in the area.

Reports indicate that more than 20 individuals, including women and traders, were forcibly taken away on motorcycles. Many others sustained injuries while attempting to escape the mayhem. “People were hiding in ceilings. It was sheer terror,” one resident recounted.

Before hitting Rijau, the bandits had already attacked several villages in Mariga LGA, notably Ya-Bawa, Maburya, Ragada, Kura’a, and Kumbashi. The onslaught drove hundreds of villagers into nearby forests and riverbanks, with many fleeing with only the clothes on their backs. Women and children were seen crossing rivers in fragile wooden canoes, with some toddlers reportedly fleeing unclothed amid the chaos.

A resident of Ragada, Ibrahim Ayuba, revealed that the attackers—estimated to be over 200 gunmen—swept into the communities at dawn, spreading fear and destruction. He noted that some of the insurgents were seen escaping across the River Maroro into neighboring Kebbi State.

In confirmation of the attacks, Niger State’s Commissioner for Homeland Security, retired Brigadier-General Bello Abdullahi, stated that security forces were making active efforts to flush out the criminals from their hideouts. Police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun added that tactical teams had been deployed for immediate response and confrontation.

According to iReporter Online, these attacks mark the third consecutive week of terror in the affected localities. Many residents say they have lost hope in the prospect of security restoration and continue to live in constant fear of further attacks.

”IREPORTER REPORTS”