Bandits have shot two soldiers at a military base in Tegina, Rafi Local Council of Niger State.The incident, which occurred in the early hours of yesterday, saw the leader of the hoodlums killed in the ensuing gunfight that followed the repelling of the attack.

It was learnt that the bandits were reportedly moving towards Mashegu and Wushishi council areas of the state to rustle groups of cattle in the localities.
Chairman of Rafi council area, Alhaji Ayuba Usman Katako, who confirmed the incident in a telephone chat in Minna, said the shot soldiers were responding to treatment, while one of the bandits, suspected to be their leader, was neutralised.

He also revealed that the military, police and vigilantes were unrelenting, adding that the security agencies, who are ensuring peace and security of lives and properties in the state, deserved commendation.

The chairman lamented the continuous attacks on security personnel, urging patience, support and prayers to overcome the insecurity bedeviling the state and the country at large.
Efforts to reach the military cantonment in Minna for comments were futile.
This is even as terrorists, yesterday, killed several persons and injured scores in attacks on some communities in the Kankara council area of Katsina State.

The onslaught, which spilled from late Sunday night into the early hours of yesterday, also saw several residents abducted by the hoodlums.
A source said more than 50 people, including women and children, were slaughtered during the invasion.

Another posted a higher figure of over 65 casualties, saying more bodies were recovered Monday morning, while some of the injured died.
“It is one of the saddest days for people of the affected communities in Kankara. Government needs to do something for a lasting solution to these security challenges,” he said.

He confirmed that dozens, consisting of women and children, were abducted and taken into the forest. The source added that residents were still carrying out a head count, while the injured were receiving medication.

Dozens of gunmen on motorbikes stormed Yargoje village, according to resident Hassan Ya’u.
“They shot sporadically at people, claiming the lives of more than 50 of us, including my younger brother,” he told Reuters by phone.

Another local, Abdullahi Yunusa Kankara, said he narrowly escaped the onslaught, stating: “Our town has turned into a death zone. Almost every house in the village has fallen victim to this attack.”

Kankara added: “We are currently carrying out a headcount to determine how many people have been abducted. More dead bodies were recovered this morning (yesterday).”

Last week, terrorists, in their number, equally stormed several villages in the Dutsinma and Safana council areas, where they killed over 40 persons, looted homes and kidnapped many.
Same period, the assailants eliminated three persons in Dandume council area, injured scores and stole domestic animals and private properties.

The incidents came a few days after hoodlums abducted two staff members of Federal University, Dutsinma (FUDMA), and the son of one of the victims at their GRA residence in the council area.
Though efforts from the federal and state governments have seen a reduction in the spate of attacks by terrorists, the problem has, however, remained recurring in recent times.

Spokesperson for the police command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, declined comments on the attacks at the time of filing this report.