Aggrieved youths in Kutigi and neighbouring communities in Lavun Local Council of Niger State, yesterday, barricaded the highway passing through Kutigi town and linking Bida, through Mokwa, over last Saturday’s gunmen attack in the communities. Eight people were killed, while scores of women, including a new bride were abducted during the attack.
The protesting youths lamented that lack of prompt response from stakeholders and security agents to protect the people resulted to colossal loss of life and property
They alleged that no government official, including Lavun Council chairman responded to their distress calls, while gunmen were attacking the villages.
The protesters also alleged that except for Bida Emirate Council and the vigilantes, no one came to their aid during the attack. As at press time, road users travelling to Lagos and other cities through that axis were trapped and stranded.
Recall that over 100 gunmen, riding on about 50 motorcycles, stormed villages in the area in the early hours of Sunday with dangerous weapons and left victims in their wake.
Some of the communities attacked include: Gogata, Ndagbegi, Tsogi, Kanko, Tsonfadagi, Ndakogitsu, Ebbo, Ndaruka, Egbako, Dabban, Batati and Akare.
An indigene told The Guardian in confidence that the attackers killed three people in Dabban village including two vigilantes, who attempted to confront them during operations.
He also said one person each was killed in Kanko, Ebbo, Tsogi and Tsonfadagabi villages, adding that the attack was unchallenged by any security agents.
The Guardian further learnt that aside from the abduction, the gunmen also carted away a large number of cattle, which were later abandoned at the river bank of Akare, because they could not cross the river.
Similarly, the gunmen disorganised a wedding ceremony in Gbacitagi village and abducted the bride and scores of women.
In reaction, the Commissioner of Police, Niger State Command, Monday Bala Kuryas, said a detachment of police tactical squad and Military have been deployed to safeguard life and property in the area.
He implored residents to always provide useful information that would assist security agents apprehend the criminals.
