Bandits kill three, burn houses in Niger community — Police

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three persons following an attack by suspected bandits on Pissa village in Borgu Local Government Area.

The attack, which occurred at about 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, also left several houses destroyed after the assailants reportedly set buildings ablaze during the invasion.

Speaking on the incident, the command’s spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, said security authorities received reports indicating that armed bandits stormed the community and carried out the deadly attack.

According to him, three residents lost their lives during the assault while a number of houses were burnt by the attackers before security operatives responded.

“The report received indicated that suspected bandits invaded Pissa village in Borgu Local Government Area. Three persons were reportedly killed during the attack, and some houses were set ablaze,” Abiodun said.

He disclosed that military personnel were immediately deployed to the area and engaged the attackers in a gun battle. However, he noted that details of the encounter remained sketchy at the time of filing the report.

“The military responded and engaged the terrorists, but further details are still sketchy,” he added.

The latest attack has renewed concerns over security challenges confronting communities in parts of Niger State despite ongoing efforts by security agencies to combat banditry and other violent crimes.

The incident comes only days after rumours of an alleged bandit invasion triggered panic among residents in Minna, the state capital. The scare reportedly caused pupils and students in several schools to leave their classrooms and rush home before the close of school hours.

Parents were also said to have contacted school authorities to verify reports that armed men had entered parts of the city.

At the time, the police command dismissed the reports as false and assured residents that there was no attack on any school within the state.

Abiodun had stated that police officers visited all the schools mentioned in the rumours and confirmed that normal academic activities were ongoing.

Security agencies are expected to continue operations in the affected area as efforts intensify to track down the attackers and prevent further violence in the community.