Bandits kill monarch, four others, kidnap 17 in Niger, Plateau

Wase flays killing of the village head, tasks security operatives

Armed bandits, in their numbers, yesterday, stormed a community general hospital named after former Head of State, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar (rtd), in Gulu, Lapai Local Council of Niger State, and killed two persons.

The Guardian learnt that they also abducted a doctor, a pharmacist and 10 other persons during the early morning attack.

A local source hinted that the operation was without hindrance, as security agents and the vigilante operatives in the area were not in sight.

It was also gathered that one of the deceased was a retired medical officer residing opposite the hospital.

Governor Abubakar Sani Bello, in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Mary Berje, described the attack as callous, inhuman and condemnable.

Lamenting the spate of insecurity in that part of the state, Bello stressed the need for intensified security operations in the state.

The governor disclosed his administration’s collaboration with the Joint Security Apparatus to overcome the bandits and sanitise the area as soon as possible.

He commiserated with the families of the deceased and assured them that his government and security agencies would do everything possible to secure the release of those abducted and ensure that those who fled during the attacks returned to their homes.

ALSO, in Plateau State, bandits, on Monday night, killed Muhammadu Sanusi, the village head of Nyalun community in Wase Local Council, and two other residents.

The victims, according to locals, were killed when the gunmen arrived in the community around 9.30 pm on motorcycles and started shooting sporadically.

Journalists were told that the attackers also abducted five family members of the village head, including his two wives.

Shapi’i Sambo, a youth leader in Wase, told journalists that the gunmen also made away with a good number of motorcycles belonging to the residents.

MEANWHILE, the Deputy Speaker, of the House of Representatives, Ahmed Wase, has condemned the gruesome murder of Sanusi by suspected bandits.

In a statement issued in Abuja, yesterday, by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Umar Puma, the Deputy Speaker expressed grief at the sad news.

Wase regretted the cruel and gruesome manner the monarch was killed, saying it calls for serious concern.

While acknowledging the concerted efforts of security agencies to rid the communities of criminal elements, he stressed the need for special attention in the area.

Charging security agencies to go after the criminals in communities and scale up intelligence gathering, Wase called for community volunteering and participation in the process.

Spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, while confirming the incident, said three people were killed, adding, however, that details of the incident were sketchy.