Over twenty five persons including a Village Head have been killed in an attack by bandits at Madaka community in Rafi local government area of Niger state.
The attack took place yesterday when the bandits in their large numbers riding over fifty motorcycles stormed the community market at Madaka which was in its full session and started shooting sporadically killing many and leaving many others injured.
Some of the injured persons were taken to a nearby hospital in Kuta the headquarters of Shiroro Local Government Area for medical attention while those with serious problems have been referred to the IBB hospital in Minna.
Many shops, houses, motorcycles, cars and grains have been burnt by the bandits in an operation which lasted for hours.
It was also gathered that the bandits have abducted unidentified number of villagers to an unknown destination for ransom.
The District Head, Alhaji Isa Bawale who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview however called on the Federal and Niger state governments as well as Rafi local government area to as a matter of urgency come to their aid to ameliorate their hardship.
Similarly, the bandits have also during an attack on the eve of Madaka massacre, at Dingishi and Kundu villages killed four people and rustled many cattle with ease.
Some of the villagers attributed the carnage done to them by the bandits to absence of two of their vigilante members that are currently under police custody at the State CID Minna for allegedly killing some people and called on the Niger state government to thoroughly investigate the matter.
When contacted on telephone, Police Public Relations Officer Niger state Command, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun promised to further investigate the matter and get back.
ALIYU LAWAL
