Abducted village head killed in Niger

…remains of the village head was buried in the bush by the bandits.

The village head of Madaka, in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State, Zakari Ya’u Idris, has been killed by gunmen one week after he was abducted.

Recall that last week Sunday, gunmen numbering about fifty invaded Madaka community where they murdered three persons and abducted the village head for the second time.

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The Chief of Staff to Council Chairman of Rafi Local Government, Mohammed Mohammed, confirmed the murder of Zakari Idris during a telephone conversation.

He said the bandits had earlier contacted the family of the deceased and demaded a ransom of N800, 000.

Mohammed, however, said five persons who were released after they paid their own ransom revealed that the Village Head of Madaka had been killed by the bandits.

According to him, those who gained their freedom said Zakari Idris was killed after going through torture in the hands of the gunmen, as they were always beating him.

They further disclosed that the remains of Zakari Idris was buried in the bush by the bandits.

The village head was abducted after his release about a month ago during which he spent three months in the camp of his abductors.

Those killed during the invasion by the gunmen in Madaka on Sunday included a leader of the vigilante group in Madaka, Isyaku Alhassan, his son Abdulhamid Isyaku and one other person.

Scores of other persons were also said to have been injured during the attack, while many houses were set ablaze.

“Attackers camping in a village”

The Chief of Staff to Rafi LG Council Chairman at that time said that the attackers were camping in a village closer to Madaka.

The Police Public Relations Officer in Niger State could not be reached for comment on the assassination of the Village Head of Madaka.

Meanwhile, the District Head of Gunna who was abducted in Yakila in the same local government is yet to regain freedom.

According to Mohammed, the gunmen were yet to get in touch with the relations of the district head to demand for any ransom.

At least, fifty persons have been killed since the renewed banditry attacks on communities in Niger State.

In Rafi LG alone, over ten persons have been killed in the last one week, with about 33 persons abducted.

Thousands of residents have also fled their homes, with many taking shelter in temporary camps provided by the state government.