•Tinubu orders military, police, DSS to hunt down masterminds
OVER 30 people, mostly women and children, have been killed and many others abducted by bandits in Kasuwa Daji and Kaima communities in Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
A source close to the two communities disclosed that the attack occurred on Saturday at about 9:45 p.m., when the bandits, from their hideout in Kainji National Park, invaded the communities and unleashed terror on residents.
The source claimed that some of the casualties included students of St Mary’s Private Catholic Primary and Secondary Schools, Papiri, whose school was attacked last year.
The source said: “During the attack which lasted for more than three hours, the terrorists killed 37 people in Kasuwa Daji, near Papiri, another five people in Kaima village and abducted many people, including children.
“We are appealing to the government and security agencies to come to our rescue.
“We have serious crisis across the River Rofia, from where they [bandits] cross over from Kebbi State to launch attacks on innocent people.
“These terrorists have been on rampage for more than a week now; just yesterday [Saturday], they burnt a particular market and abducted many people, including children.”
The Director of Communications, Catholic Church of Kontagora Diocese, Reverend Father Stephen Kabirat, who confirmed the incident, disclosed that the terrorists killed more than 40 people and abducted unspecified number of people.
He said: “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 N200,000.
“They were looking for the priest, but luckily, he escaped. They, however, abducted some villagers, including children.”
Spokesman for the Niger State police command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, who also confirmed the incident, said the command, on Saturday, received reports that suspected bandits attacked and killed many and abducted unconfirmed number of people.
In a statement, Abiodun said the bandits invaded the communities at about 4:30 p.m. from the National Park Forest along Kebe District.
He added that they stormed Kasuwan Daji, located at Demo Village via Kebe Village, and killed over 30 people, looted shops and burnt the market.
The police spokesperson said a joint security team had visited the areas and efforts were already ongoing to rescue the abducted victims.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has directed the Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Service Chiefs, the Inspector-General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) to track down and apprehend the perpetrators of the Kasuwan Daji attack, ensuring they are swiftly brought to justice.
He also directed security agencies to rescue all the abducted victims urgently.
According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), President Tinubu issued the directives on Sunday in response to the recent killings of villagers in Niger State by terrorists suspected to be fleeing from Sokoto and Zamfara following the United States’ air strike on Christmas Eve.
Onanuga disclosed that the President strongly condemned the attack on the Kasuwan Daji Community and the abduction of women and children.
President Tinubu, who sent his condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the Government and people of Niger State, vowed that masterminds of the attacks must be apprehended and brought to justice.
‘These terrorists have tested the resolve of our country and its people. They must, therefore, face the full consequences of their criminal actions. No matter who they are or what their intent is, they must be hunted down. They, and all those who aid, abet, or enable them in any form, will be caught and brought to justice,” the President declared.
Tinubu assured the people of Niger that security agencies have been mandated to intensify operations around vulnerable communities, particularly those near the forests that have served as hideouts for criminal elements.
He urged Nigerians to remain united and resolute in the face of this tragedy and cautioned against divisive rhetoric that could undermine national security and cohesion during this challenging period.
“These times demand our humanity. We must stand together as one people and confront these monsters in unison. United, we can and must defeat them and deny them any sanctuary. We must reclaim the peace and security of these attacked communities,” President Tinubu said.
Also, Governor Mohammed Umaru Bago has expressed sadness over the attack.
The governor, through his Chief Press Secretary, Bologi Ibrahim, described as cruel and nefarious the attack which left many people dead and abduction of several others.
He extended his sympathy to the people of the affected communities, especially the victims and their families, just as he prayed for the repose of the souls of the dead.
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