Bandits have reportedly killed 18 worshippers at Maza-Kuka in Mashegu Local Council of Niger State. The armed men, in the early hours of yesterday, The Guardian gathered, invaded the village in large numbers and attacked the villagers, who were performing their early morning prayers.

It was learnt that the gunmen, who came on motorcycles, went straight into the Mosque and shot sporadically resulting in the death of worshippers.

Secretary to the Niger State government, Ahmed Matane, said over 16 persons were killed in the mosque, while another person was attacked at Kaboji village by the bandits.


ALSO, Bauchi State Governor, Bala Mohammed, has reported ongoing cases of abduction and killings in six local councils of the state by bandits, who also destroy properties.

Mohammed made this known, yesterday at a meeting with council bosses, the deputy governor, Secretary to the State Government (SSG) and some commissioners, at the Government House.

The governor expressed disappointment over alleged “connivance of the terrorists with government officials” to perpetrate evil.

Confirming the incident, yesterday, in Damaturu, the village head, Mai Modu Hassan, disclosed that insurgents engaged the soldiers with a fierce gun battle that lasted for half an hour.

“We were forced, along with our families, to flee into nearby bushes for safety,” he lamented, adding that soldiers asked the residents not to panic, as they repelled the terrorists towards the forest.

https://guardian.ng/news/gunmen-kill-18-in-niger-kidnap-bauchi-residents/