…Demands N60m ransom for 15 abductees in Niger
A large group of bandits on Thursday attacked another community in Katsina State and killed five residents.
Dangeza, a farming and business community, is one of several villages in Batsari local government area of the State under incessant bandits’ attacks.
Recently, the district head of Batsari, Sarkin Ruman Katsina, Tukur Muazu, said bandits fleeing Zamfara State had taken over his domain.
Apart from Dangeza, other communities witnessing bandits’ activities are Yasore, Duba, Dunburawa, among others.
Speaking to newsmen, a local, Jamilu Ali, said the bandits came early Thursday morning and started shooting in the air, adding that, “Most of those killed were early risers hoping to catch the first vehicle to Batsari,” he said.
According to him, the attack left five locals dead while scores of others have been hospitalised in Batsari.
Batsari, shares boundaries with the dreaded Rugu forest, Jibia and Safana, which makes it easier for the bandits to attack communities in the area.
He further said that despite efforts by members of the vigilante group stationed in the area, the bandits looted shops and stole goods already brought out by the people.
The State’s Police spokesperson, Gambo Isa, did not respond to calls and SMS sent to him on the attack.
In a related development, bandits who abducted 15 villagers in Mazakuka, in Mashegu local government area of Niger State, have threatened to kill them if N4 million each is not paid on their head.
It was gathered that the bandits had initially demanded N100 million on the 15 villagers but later reduced it to N4 million per head. Recall that the bandits had on Monday morning killed 18 worshippers in Mazakuka community mosque and abducted 15 people.
It was learnt that the bandits made their demands through the village head, Mallam Abubakar, and the chief Imam on Wednesday and repeated the same yesterday, demanding N4 million on each of the abductees.
A village source hinted that the bandits sounded serious and annoyed that they lost one of their key men during the operation in the village and insisted that they would not reduce the ransom again.
