* unknown numbers of recently freed Papiri students abducted in fresh attacks
By Aideloje Ojo
Minna
Terrorists have again attacked communities in Agwarra and Borgu local government areas of Niger state killing no fewer than 42 persons and abducting scores of persons including children.
The terrorists, according to sources have laid siege on communities since new year eve
attacking villages in Agwara and Borgu local governments of Niger State with reckless impunity.
A resident who spoke on condition of anonymity said, “for the last one week, they came angrily and attacked communities at freewill and this because there is no security presence here. They killed 37 people in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri, another 5 in Kaima village and abducted many people including children. Some of these children abducted are pupils and students of the same St. Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary schools, Papiri in Agwara whobwere recently freed”.
He called on government and security agencies to come to rescue the communities, adding that, “we have serious crisis across the river where the students were abducted”.
According to him, the terrorists also attacked a market in session from where most of the villagers were brutally murdered in what appeared to be summary execution.
“They came out of the forest for about a week now, wrecking havoc in the villages. Just yesterday (Saturday) alone they burnt one particular market and abducted so many people, including children. They also invaded a market, carted away food items, burnt down shops and kill scores of villagers “.
Confirming the attack in the Catholic mission house, the Director of Communications, Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese, Rev. Father Stephen Kabirat said the terrorists have killed over forty persons and taken into captivity some persons.
According to him “our Parish Priest narrowly escaped abduction when the terrorists visited our Mission House three days ago, they destroyed some religious items in the church, carted away two motorbikes and cash worth over two hundred thousand Naira (N200,000)”.
“They were looking for the Priest but luckily he escaped but they abducted some villagers including children.”
Also speaking, another villager said, ” I am appealing to the relevant authorities to quickly rescue us. As I am talking to you, some of the villages where the abducted school children come from have been sleeping in the bushes since their return because of activities of the terrorists”
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) of Niger state Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incidents Sunday in Minna.
He said, ” at about 4:30pm on Saturday, suspected Bandits from the National Park Forest along Kabe District invaded Kasuwan Daji located at Demo Village via Kabe, killed over 30 persons, burnt the market and looted shops and carted away food items”, adding that a joint security team has visited the scene and efforts are ongoing to rescue the victims.
