Niger: Terrorists kill 42, abduct missionary school students, others
An unspecified number of people, including pupils and students of St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, in Agwara Local Government Area, who were recently released from captivity, have been abducted again by gunmen.
No fewer than 42 people, including women and children, were killed by the terrorists in the latest attack, which saw blood flowing freely and has thrown the entire communities into mourning.
A source close to Kasuwa Daji and Kaima communities, where the attack took place on Saturday, said an unspecified number of villagers were whisked away into Kainji National Park, including some students of Papiri missionary school who had recently regained their freedom.
The attack came barely five days after a group of fleeing bandits from a military operation in Kwara State invaded Gebe and Goro communities, in the same Agwara Local Government Area, slaughtered two people, and burnt down over 15 houses after looting valuables.
Also, a week ago, a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps checkpoint within the axis, this time in Wawa community, Borgu Local Government Area, was invaded by the gunmen, who carted away arms and ammunition as the personnel fled for safety.
The terrorists, according to a reliable source, have occupied Kainji National Park, from where they launch constant attacks on communities within the axis.
According to the source, “They killed 37 people in Kasuwa Daji near Papiri, another five people in Kaima village and abducted many people, including children and some of the students who had earlier been released.
“The government and security agencies should come to our rescue. We have a serious crisis across the River Rofia, from where they cross over from Kebbi State to launch attacks.
“They came out of the forest about a week ago, wreaking havoc in the villages. Just yesterday (Saturday) alone, they burnt one particular market and abducted so many people, including children,” our source said.
The Director of Communications, Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese, Rev Father Stephen Kabirat, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the terrorists had killed over 40 people and taken an unspecified number of people into captivity.
“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.”
