Bandits Strike Niger Community Following Military Withdrawal

Three days after the military authorities withdrew soldiers in Allawa Community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, bandits have raided the community, stealing foodstuffs.

News report had reported how residents fled the community after soldiers withdrew following an ambush.

One of the residents, Mallam Yahuza Allawa, who confirmed the invasion to our correspondent via telephone, said bandits entered Allawa and adjoining communities on Sunday morning and stole their food stuffs and other valuables, including goats and other domestic animals.

He said residents of Allawa, Saminaka, Gyra-Miyan, Unguwan Sarkin-Noma, Kurmi all fled since Thursday.

He said there has been a huge challenge at Central Primary School, Erena, where dozens of them sought refuge, citing hunger and lack space to sleep as major issues.

Residents said some men who went back home from to fetch some food tuffs ran back to report to that bandits came with trucks with which they loaded their Foodstuffs and valuables in the morning on Sunday.

“Yes, it is confirmed that after we left our communities on Thursday, but bandits came this morning and stole our food stuffs and other valuables including goats. We were not able to take most of belongings along because of lack of vehicles. We had to trek from communities to Erena.”

“Bandits came with a truck with which they loaded our Foodstuffs and other valuables. They parked the truck at riverside and used motorcycles to evacuate our Foodstuffs, Goats and other valuables from villages and loaded in the truck because of the nature of the road.

“We are calling on the federal and state governments to come to our rescue. Life is very difficult for us especially our women and children. We need serious intervention,” he said.