Niger Insecurity; Again, Unidentified Helicopter Kills 50 Civilians in Niger Community

…As Bandits Flee With Over 300 Rustle Cattle …..Abduct Scores

From John Adams, Minna
With barely one month after an unidentified fighter jet killed unspecified number of the Joint Security Taskforce in Galkogo community in Shiroro local government area of Niger State, over 50 villagers have been killed by yet another unidentified fighter helicopter in Akere community in Wushishi local government area of the state.
The latest incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon when the bandits in their large numbers carried out a coordinated attack on Akere in Wushishi local government area and Kwazi community in Rafi local government area of the state.
No fewer than five people were killed during the attacks by the bandits while over 300 cattle were stolen from Akere community alone.
Although nobody was killed at Kwanza community, a source close to the community said a number of people were missing after the attack.
The fighter helicopter which identity and mission was not known, was said to have released two bombs and killed over 50 villagers, leaving unspecified numbers serious injured while the bandits escaped with the cattle and those they adopted without any casualty on their side.
A source close to Kwazi community in Rafi local government told our correspondent that the attack at Akere and Kwazi communities took place simultaneously, stressing that when the attack at Akere was going on, another group, numbering about 50 and heavily armed invaded Kwazi community.
According to our source, the helicopter hovers round the community when the attack was on going before releasing the bombs, killing members of the community who were escaping the bandits’ attacks.
Scores of members of the community, including women and children were also injured in the bombs attack and are currently being treated at a government health facility in the area.
In a related development, three people have been killed and 15 others abducted in Dandaudu community in Munya local government area of the state. Five people, including two women however sustained gunshot injuries from the attack.
The bandits who invaded the community on Tuesday morning also went away with over 150 cattle. As at the time of filing this report on Wednesday, the gunmen are said to have converged at Tshohon Kabula community with their victims and the stolen cattle.
“They are right now at Tshohon Kabula but we don’t know their next line of action. Tshohon Kabula is like a base for them from where they take off to lunch attacks on communities around Zagzaga, Chibani, Dandaudu and Kusasu”, he said.
When contacted, the Commissioner for Internal Security and Humanitarian Affair, Mr. Emmanuel Umar promised to issue a statement on the latest attacks but was yet to do so as at the time of filing this report.