The Nigerian military has closed its camp and withdrawn troops in Allawa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State following the recent killing of four soldiers and two officers by bandits.
Allawa community is one of the communities facing severe attacks by bandits and terrorists in Shiroro LGA.
According to the Daily Trust, the withdrawal of troops, which residents said came to them as a surprise due to renewed attacks in the community and its neighbouring communities, had caused hundreds of locals including women, the elderly and children to vacate their houses, trekking at least 50 kilometres to safe places.
Residents told the publication that they woke up on Thursday seeing the soldiers removing their tents in preparation to leave the community.
One of the locals, who preferred anonymity, said that the withdrawal came two days after the military vehicle stepped on a landmine along the Allawa-Pandogari road, leading to an unspecified number of casualties.
“I don’t know if you were aware that on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, the military personnel on their way to Allawa stepped on an IED and causalities including death were recorded. Some of them are in the hospital. The incident happened on Allawa-pandogari road Tuesday,” he said.
The Tuesday incident came less than a week after six soldiers and a vigilante lost their lives in an ambush at Roro when bandits launched multiple attacks on Roro, Karaga, Rumace and other farming communities.
Another resident, Mallam Yahuza Allawa, said that dozens of residents had vacated their communities as early as 4am on foot and were heading towards Erena, Gwada, Kuta or Zumba for safety.
“This is a serious issue. Please help us report this issue. We are leaving our communities now and there are insufficient motorcycles and vehicles to take us out as quick as possible. We are afraid.
“Maybe if you report it, the government will bring vehicles to evacuate us to safe places. Our belongings are there, we can’t pack them,” he said
