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Armed bandits have attacked the Baga community in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, killing five villagers and abducting approximately 150 others, a local source confirmed.
The source said the attackers, reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons and explosives, set several houses ablaze and fired on residents attempting to flee.
Some villagers who took refuge in nearby bush areas were reportedly shot, while many others were kidnapped.
The gunmen are believed to have entered the community from neighbouring Kaduna State.
Local vigilante members who tried to resist the attackers sustained injuries and were rushed to a nearby hospital for treatment.
“The gunmen are many and are believed to have entered the community from neighbouring Kaduna state to wreak havoc,” the source said.
“Some men of the local vigilante members who tried to repel the gunmen were shot and sustained varying degrees of injuries and rushed to the hospital for treatment.
“We can see thick smoke in different parts of the communities, which is an indication that Baga and neighbouring villages had been set ablaze.”
In response, security personnel have reportedly been deployed to the area to rescue those abducted and restore order.
Shiroro Local Government Chairman Ishyaku Bawa confirmed the attack in a phone interview with journalists.
Bawa said some residents were killed and others injured but declined to provide further details, citing ongoing hospital visits and security operations.
“Yes, bandits invaded the community, and some villagers were killed, while some were injured,” Bawa said.
“We are presently in the hospital to attend to those injured, and I cannot give more details for now.”
