FROM SAMSON ALFA, Minna
In the early hours of Wednesday, bandits in their hundreds invaded a military camp in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State and killed over 20 soldiers.
The Chairman of Mariga Local Government Council, Abbas Adamu said the injured and dead soldiers were taken to Kontagora Military Barracks.
The chairman also disclosed that several suspected bandits were also neutralised during the exchange of gun fire.
“Three days ago, we got information about the movement of bandits coming from Zamfara State to Bangi axis and the concerned authorities were notified. But to our surprise they went to the military camp at Kwona Dutse and left to Gulbin Boka axis after causing havoc at the camp on Tuesday”, the chairman stated.
Alhaji Adamu also confirmed that the incident occurred in two separate communities; Kwona Dutse around 11pm and Gulbin Boka around 5pm of the same day.
He told our correspondent that 17 bodies of soldiers have been retrieved from the forest and deposited at Kontagora barracks, even as vigilantes and other security operatives are still searching and trailing the criminals.
According to him, “we were told that several bandits were neutralised in the process, but our concern is the security personnel. We commend the efforts of the air force and urge the people to report suspected movement to the authorities. They should remain calm as government is doing everything possible to ensure peace and stability in the area.”
He said before now, the local government authority had already issued directives to people living in Kurji and Dogon Dawa to vacate the communities to avoid this kind of incident.
As at the time of filling this report, no official statement has been issued by the military or any security agency in the state.
