13 killed as bandits attack Niger communities

At least 13 people, including a mobile police officer and three vigilantes, were reportedly killed when armed bandits raided Mongoro community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State. At about 5pm on Wednesday, residents of Wamba, also in Mariga LGA, told Daily Trust that their community remained under siege by the attackers. It would […]

At least 13 people, including a mobile police officer and three vigilantes, were reportedly killed when armed bandits raided Mongoro community in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

At about 5pm on Wednesday, residents of Wamba, also in Mariga LGA, told Daily Trust that their community remained under siege by the attackers.

It would be recalled that on June 24, bandits killed 17 soldiers and injured 10 others during an attack on a military base at Kwanan-Dutse, also in Mariga LGA.

Over 100 armed bandits reportedly stormed the base, located a few kilometres from Bangi, the local government headquarters.

The Nigerian Army confirmed the casualties, adding that several of the attackers were also neutralized.

On the latest assault, residents told Daily Trust that the bandits launched coordinated assaults on Mongoro and neighbouring communities on Tuesday after overpowering joint security forces made up of police and local vigilantes.

Several others, including vigilantes, reportedly sustained gunshot injuries.

One resident, who sought anonymity, said the security operatives fought courageously but were overwhelmed by the bandits, who were heavily armed and large in number.

“Four people, one mobile police officer, one vigilante, and two farmers, lost their lives. The police and vigilantes tried, but they ran out of ammunition and had to retreat. The vigilantes in Mongoro need urgent support from authorities because that area is a known route for the bandits,” he said.

Another source said at least 13 people were killed, including vigilantes, and several others sustained bullet wounds. He added that the bandits also destroyed a telecommunications mast, disrupting communication in the area.

The Chairman of Mariga LGA, Abbas Adamu Kasuwan-Garba, confirmed the attacks but said the number of casualties was yet to be verified. He noted that tension in the area has heightened following weeks of persistent attacks.

When contacted, the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident but said, “Details are still sketchy.”

Meanwhile, farmers in Rijau and Mariga LGAs have started abandoning their farmlands following a surge in bandit attacks across their communities in recent weeks.

Speaking with Daily Trust, a resident, Ibrahim Ayuba, said many people had fled their villages to Rijau town for safety, leaving behind their farms due to fear of further violence.

“People are scared. With the frequent movement of bandits and killings, it has become too dangerous to remain in the villages or work on the farms,” he said.

The Etsu Nupe and Chairman of the Niger State Council of Traditional Rulers, Alhaji Yahaya Abubakar, called for collaborative efforts and innovative strategies to address growing security challenges in the state.

He made the call during a courtesy visit by the Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, to his palace.

“With the increasing security issues we’re facing, there is a need to pool resources and re-strategize. Tackling insecurity requires unity and collective responsibility,” the monarch said.

Earlier, Commissioner Elleman said the visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between traditional institutions, communities, and security agencies in the ongoing fight against banditry and other security threats in the state.

 

Expert urges creation of forest marshals

A security expert, Auwal Bala Durumin Iya, called on the government at all levels to empower local vigilantes and security personnel with weapons superior to those used by bandits and terrorists.

He recommended the establishment of a Forest Marshal Unit to safeguard Nigeria’s vast forests and an Intelligence Research Centre to provide actionable intelligence to security agencies.

He said most crimes committed in forests-such as kidnapping and banditry-are felonies, and that properly trained and armed forest marshals could prevent these crimes by closely monitoring forest activities and residents.

“Give vigilantes and forest marshals sophisticated weapons like AK-47s. Equip them with proper security knowledge, and avoid politicizing security matters. If we remove politics and focus on professionalism, we can get it right,” he said.

He called on the government to appoint competent leaders to security agencies and provide financial and logistical support to vigilantes, whom he praised for their dedication despite receiving no salaries.