28 Die In Niger Bandit Attack, Imo Accident

At least 28 people have died following a bandits attack in Niger State and a road mishap in Imo state.

Bandits struck in Wayam Community in the Rafi Local government area of Niger state, killing 12 people.

LEADERSHIP gathered that the bandits struck yesterday, ransacking the community in a reprisal for one of their members killed recently in the area.

It was learnt that earlier, one of their members was killed in the community while they came for an attack as usual through a combined security and Vigilante operation.

A villager who prefers anonymity told LEADERSHIP that the bandits, apart from abducting scores, also killed 12 of the villagers in a gruesome manner.

“Wayam is a neighbouring village; they slaughtered some people; you can see this is even an unusual way of Bandits’ attacks; they came for a purpose,” the villager said.

Another villager said the Bandits had renewed their operations because the rainy season is exciting. They can freely use their motorcycles through the trenches and take the villagers unaware.

When contacted, the state’s Commissioner of Homeland Security, Bello Mohammed Abdullahi, confirmed the attack on the community while ensuring that the government was on top of the situation to restore security.

Meanwhile, no fewer than 16 persons reportedly lost their lives in an auto crash that occurred today at Njaba Bridge in the Njaba local government area of Imo state.

The bridge on the Owerri—Orlu expressway has narrow edges and has claimed several lives.

An eyewitness said the commercial vehicle lost control and crashed into the river after it had rammed headlong into the railings, which left the passengers fatally injured.

However, due to the jammed sitting arrangement in the bus and panic, the passengers were discovered dead when public-spirited people ran there for rescue operations.

The Imo Police command has yet to confirm the incident, but people who cannot reach their loved ones have thronged to the venue in search of their wards.

The area is known for sand excavation for commercial purposes even as it showed signs of erosion.