Niger State Police Command has said that only 13 people were killed by terrorists and not 37 in the attack which occurred in two communities in the state.
The state’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun said the casualty figure was recorded after “suspected bandits/terrorists attacked some villagers who were harvesting crops in their farm at Nakundna village near Kaure in Shiroro LGA.”
Abiodun said;
“The attention of the command has been drawn to reports that 37 persons were killed in Nakundna and Wurukuchi communities, Shiroro LGA.
“The command wishes to state that on 10/01/2022 at about 1000hrs, suspected bandits/terrorists attacked some villagers who were harvesting crops in their farm at Nakundna village near Kaure in Shiroro LGA, and unfortunately, thirteen (13) persons lost their lives as a result of the attack.
“Details of the incident were not immediately available due to the rough terrain and lack of communication network in the area.”
The police spokesperson also assured residents that the police and other security agencies would not relent in the ongoing onslaught against terrorists and other forms of criminality in the state.
The attack according to sources appeared to be reprisal as a few weeks ago some special hunters and local vigilantes killed scores of gunmen who were terrorising the communities.
The gunmen launched Wednesday’s attack on Nakuna and Wurukuchi communities when the villagers were on their farms harvesting produce.
All the houses in Nakuna, with a population of about 200, were also said to have been burnt down by the gunmen, who invaded the community in search of vigilantes.
