At least seven farmers, including a vigilante, were reportedly killed, and 50 bags of maize were set ablaze by suspected bandits in Bangi, Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State,Daily Trust reports.
According to sources, the victims were ambushed while transporting harvested maize from their farm. The attackers killed all the occupants of the truck before setting it and the maize on fire.
“Bandits killed seven of our farmers who had gone to retrieve their harvested maize,” a source reported. “They waited until the truck was fully loaded with 50 bags of maize and the victims were about to leave before they opened fire. After the killings, they burned the truck along with the maize.”
The source lamented that farming activities in Mariga had become increasingly dangerous this year due to rampant killings and kidnappings by bandits.
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In a related incident, terrorists reportedly killed Mallam Danjuma, a resident of Kontagora, despite collecting a N20 million ransom from his family. Danjuma had spent three weeks in captivity before his death.
The tragic news was relayed to the family by another kidnapped victim who managed to escape from the bandits’ den.
Yahaya Suleiman, a Kontagora resident, disclosed that kidnappings had become a daily occurrence in parts of the town in recent weeks.
Confirming the farmers’ deaths, Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said the incident occurred on November 16 at about 3 p.m. when vigilantes from Wamba/Yan-Sakai were ambushed near Makogi/Ungwan Elbi by suspected kidnappers.
“Unfortunately, the ambush led to the loss of lives of some members,” Abiodun stated.
He added that joint security teams, including police and military tactical units, had been deployed to the area to prevent further attacks and ensure a secure harvest season for farmers.
