It is reported that during an attack on the Allawa community in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, bandits set fire to over thirty houses and numerous cattle.
With more than 2,000 residents, Allawa is reportedly one of the larger agricultural communities in the Lakpma axis of Shiroro LGA.
Yusuf Musa, the chairman of Allawa Youth Connect, told Daily Trust that the attackers broke into the community on Sunday night at around 8:00 p.m., but the community had not yet determined how many people had been taken hostage.
He said about 100 cattle, 35 motorcycles and 150 bags of assorted grains belonging to residents and 30 houses were burnt down during the attack.
Residents lamented that they could walk for 1km from the community without coming in contact with terrorists, whom they said have permanent camps in Allawa Forest.
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On Friday morning, robbers stormed the neighborhood, killing one vigilante and capturing twelve others.
After the attack on Friday, according to the locals, the bandits returned about 9 p.m., but the military personnel stationed there drove them away.
It was reported that tensions were raised by the previous night attack, which led many residents to evacuate to Pandogari, Kuta, and Gwada.
Attempts to obtain a response from the government proved fruitless. The Chief Press Secretary’s communication with Governor Bologi Ibrahim was not working properly.
Additionally, Brig. Gen. Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (RTD), the Commissioner for Homeland Security, did not return calls. A text message was sent to his phone, but he did not answer it either.
The Niger State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached either. He did not respond to a message sent to his phone.
