At least one person was killed while 30 others were kidnapped as armed bandits invaded the Zazzaga community in Zazzaga Ward, Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Bala Kuryas, confirmed the attack to newsmen on Wednesday, noting that it happened in the early hours of the day.
‘Police are already on the trail of the attackers to rescue the kidnapped victims unhurt,’ the Commissioner said.
However, contrary to the police report, the Secretary of Munya Local Government, Mr James Jagaba in another interview insisted that 68 persons were kidnapped including women and children, while one person was killed with three others injured.
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‘They came in large numbers when the victims were sleeping and took control of the community. One person was killed, three were shot while 68 persons were kidnapped,’ he said.
Another source from the community who spoke in confidence via telephone said the armed bandits operated from one house to another.
The source said: ‘a hunter was shot dead during gun battle with the criminals. We don’t know the whereabouts of the kidnapped persons. Security personnel comprising the police, military and vigilantes have been deployed to the community.’
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the latest massacre of 15 people in Goronyo and Illela Local Government Areas of Sokoto by bandits warning that ‘this needless and mindless violence against innocent people cannot go unpunished.’
According to a statement by Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, President Buhari while reacting to the incident from South Africa warned that the ‘persistent and unprovoked violence against unarmed civilians must be met with a fierce response by the government.
AFRICA TODAY NEWS, NEW YORK