Gunmen kill 42, abduct children in Niger state community

At least 42 people have been killed by terrorists, with anunspecified number, including children, abducted in attacks on communities inAgwarra and Borgu LGAs of Niger state. According to sources, the gunmen have been attackingvillages in Agwarra for over a week without resistance. Residents said the gunmen wreaked havoc on severalcommunities before abducting scores, including pupils and students from St.Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools in Papiri, Agwarra. “They killed 37 people in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri, anotherfive in Kaima village, and abducted many people including children. Some ofthese children are students of the same schools,” a source disclosed Stephen Kabirat, the director of communications for theCatholic Church in Kontagora Diocese, confirmed the attacks on the Catholicmission house. He said the terrorists killed over 40 people, abductedvillagers including children, and destroyed church property. “Our Parish Priest narrowly escaped abduction when theterrorists visited our Mission House three days ago. They destroyed religiousitems, stole two motorcycles, and took cash exceeding N200,000,” he said. Wasiu Abiodun, spokesperson of the Niger police command,confirmed the attacks. He said the gunmen attacked Kasuwan Daji in Borgu LGA around4:30pm on Saturday, burning the market, looting shops, and carting away foodsupplies. He said over 10 people were killed and only Borgu LGA wasattacked by the gunmen. “At least over 30 persons were killed, and several otherskidnapped. A joint security team has visited the scene, and efforts to rescuethe victims are ongoing,” he said. The police assured that further updates would be provided asthe situation develops.

Read More