Bandits have reportedly burnt a primary school in Dekara, Borgu local government area of Niger State, days after communities in the area allegedly raised and paid a ₦10 million levy demanded by the armed group.
Residents said the attackers invaded the district headquarters on Wednesday and set the Central Primary School, Dekara ablaze. One resident, who requested anonymity, said the assailants emerged from the Kainji Lake National Park before storming the community.
According to the source, the bandits had earlier imposed a ₦10 million levy on villages in the Dekara District, threatening to attack if the money was not paid. Community members reportedly complied after receiving assurances that they would be spared further attacks.
“The bandits imposed a ₦10 million levy on communities in the district. The money was paid because they threatened to attack us if we failed to comply. But despite receiving the money, they still attacked the district headquarters and burnt down the primary school”, the resident said.
Meanwhile, bandits were also said to have carried out fresh attacks on Dnakau, Lanta and Unguwan Kawo communities in Shiroro local government area of the state. Residents disclosed that one person was killed while another was abducted during the separate attacks. The abducted victim was identified as Moses Joseph of Unguwan Kawo, while Emma, a resident of Bagna community, was reportedly shot during the raid.
Attempts to obtain the reaction of the Niger State Police Command were unsuccessful.
