Attacks by armed groups have continued in the North-west region and in neighbouring Niger State despite repeated assurances by the government to address the problem.
Armed men Saturday evening attacked Kadna and Naknuwape, suburbs of Gwada in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killing at least two people including a police officer.
Residents said a group of gunmen invaded their communities shooting indiscriminately while residents were breaking their Ramadan fast.
The spokesperson of the Coalition of Shiroro Associations (COSA), Salis Sabo, in a statement said that the criminals were increasingly waxing stronger, reaching the Tapila Junction of Gwada town, a community thought to be safe from attacks.
“At least two persons have been killed. One policeman and one civilian in Tapila,” the group said in the statement.
The gunmen reportedly abducted two persons – the son of an official of an electricity company and a young girl whose identity was not disclosed. They looted a business centre and stole mobile phones, Mr Sabo added.
He said communities attacked by the gunmen include: Chiri, Kwakwa, Jewi and Kadn. The communities are only a few kilometres from Gwada LGA.
“The terrorists continue to expand their tentacles even to the towns that were considered relatively peaceful. We now live at the mercy of terrorists. The government has failed woefully,” the group said.
The police spokesperson in Niger State, Wasiu Abiodun, did not respond to our reporter’s enquiry about the incidents on Sunday morning.
Attacks by armed groups have continued in the North-west region and neighbouring Niger State despite repeated assurances by the government to address the problem.