Niger State: Bandits Killed 62, Displaced 3,200 (Jun-Dec)

 Abu Lolo (Niger state governor)

A large number of members of the agrarian communities were forced to leave their homes and farms over fears of attacks by armed bandits who have been operating almost freely in the areas. 

In the last four years, there have been incessant attacks by bandits on agrarian communities across northern Nigeria which have claimed hundreds, if not thousands, of innocent lives.

On 9th June 2019, bandits invaded villages in Shiroro local government of Niger state killing 40 civilians and forcing over 2, 000 others to flee their homes.

On 9th October 2019, bandits attacked the same local government, looted villages and told residents to move if they wanted to live. About 1, 200 people are said to have been displaced by that incident.

From the 22nd to the 24th of November 2019, bandits ransacked and looted Kwaki district of Shiroro local government forcing hundreds of residents to flee their homes for safety.

On 1st December 2019, bandits attacked Koki area of Shiroro local government killing 11 people.

A funeral after a bandit attack

On 3rd December 2019, bandits attacked Rafi local government in Niger state, killed 11 people and held the town hostage for 3 hours and went away with 9 other residents including the District Head of Madaka, Alhaji Zakari Yau; his wife and the Village Head of Kukoki. It not known with certainty what has happened to them.

From June to December this year, 62 civilians have been killed and over 3, 200 others displaced from their homes.

Theory has it that the bandits are Fulani cattle herders who are wreaking revenge against communities that have rustled their cattle.

Exercise Ayam Akpatuma II by the Nigerian Army  and peace deals by the Niger state government were launched with intent of getting the bandits to lay down their arms. Obviously, it has brought the desire security to masses seek.

The coming of the APC governments at state and federal levels in Nigeria has brought about a drastic reduction in Boko Haram activities but a concomitant astronomical rise in banditry, kidnapping and massacres by suspected herdsmen.

The Federal government has urged civilians to go into farming to find sustenance but uncertainties such as security and flooding is holding many back.

Residents of the banditry infested communities of Kuta and Shiroro  in Niger state on 21st December cried out to the state government over the fate of their crops. 

The Hakimi (a traditional executive) of Kuta, Alhaji Aliyu Umar, said farmers who have planted crops like cassava and rice fear that their crops will rot on  the farms if their homes and farms are not made safe enough for them to return.