Over 100 armed bandits invaded three communities in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State, k!lling numerous villagers and stealing 200 cattle.
The affected communities, attacked on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, were Zagzaga, Chibani, and Kuchi.
Several villagers, including women, were k!lled during the assault as the gunmen moved freely from one community to another without any opposition.
Homes were set ablaze and food supplies were looted by the gunmen, who carried out their operations between 4:00 pm and 7:00 pm while some villagers fled for safety.
According to a source, one bandit died in Kuchi, with the cause of his d3ath unknown, and his body was left behind by his fellow bandits.
A camp belonging to the Joint Security Taskforce was set on fire in Kuchi community by the marauding gunmen.
Members of the Joint Security Taskforce deserted the camp and fled when they learned of the large number of bandits.
It was also learned that the bandits had gathered at Kusasu community in Shiroro Local Government Area, a neighboring community to Munya, before the attack, and a senior government official was informed of their movements.
“We raised the alarm through one of our contacts in Minna to help us inform the authorities of the movement of the bandits, but nothing was done. The villagers saw them moving and assembled in Kusasu before the attack,” a source told Sun Newspaper.
“They were there in the bush for over five hours before carrying out the attacks; the people saw them, but they were many in number and were riding on motorcycles.”
The Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maj-General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (rtd), stated that he had not yet received a report of the attack but acknowledged that an incident of banditry occurred in the area.
Meanwhile, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Communication, Media and Strategy, Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, condemned the attack, describing it as “barbaric, wicked and inhuman.”
He expressed regret that despite the government’s efforts to tackle insecurity in parts of the state, “these enemies of the people have continued to carry out relentless attacks on innocent villagers.”
Vatsa assured that the government would not relent until the war against all forms of security challenges is addressed to enable meaningful development, emphasizing that the activities of local informants have hindered the government’s efforts to bring the situation under control.
Bandits attack communities in Niger State, k!ll villagers and burn houses.
A Gentle Reminder: Every obstacle is a stepping stone, every morning; a chance to go again, and those little steps take you closer to your dream.
Nnamdi Okoli
