Bandits Set School Ablaze After Collecting N10m Levy In Niger Community

After allegedly collecting N10 million levy from members of Dakera community in Borgu local government area of Niger State, Bandits have set ablaze the Central Primary School in the community.

LEADERSHIP  gathered that the bandits invaded the community with dangerous weapons and were about to attack and abduct some people but were disappointed that the community was already deserted.

Irked that the people got earlier information about their planned attack , they set fire on the primary school and left the village before a joint security force arrived.

A source from the village who preferred anonymity told LEADERSHIP that the bandits invaded the community on over  200 motorcycles but there was no abduction because members of the community left before their arrival and security operatives responded swiftly.

The source said the bandits had allegedly collected a lN10 million levy from communities around the area last week after security operatives stopped them from using the villagers to purchase supplies for their camps in the Kainji Lake forest.

It was further learnt that the development had made the bandits focus on the villages around Dakera community for reportedly leaking their plan to use them to get large supplies for their camp.

LEADERSHIP reported that the bandits shared millions of naira to some villagers to get them supplies like food, petroleum products and others needed for use in their camp but were promptly stopped by security operatives.

Confirming the burning of the school to LEADERSHIP yesterday, the state police spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun,  said,

“At about 12pm, suspected bandits invaded Dekara village via Borgu LGA and set the Central Pry School Dekara ablaze, where one block of classroom was burnt”.

“However, the location is a deserted area, and there was no abduction or loss of life during the incident. Meanwhile, monitoring and clearance operation is intensified.”