Bandits Kill Driver, Abduct 8 Passengers, Burn Bus In Niger

Bandits have killed a villager and abducted eight others between Luma and Babbana bordering Benin Republic and Nigeria in the Borgu local government area of Niger State.

LEADERSHIP gathered yesterday that the incident occurred when the deceased, who was the driver of the car was ambushed by the bandits and those abducted were returning from the installation of the chairman of the Borgu kingmakers and chief priest Bakarabonde.

Sources hinted that the driver who operated a commercial bus along the route tried to find an escape route when the bullet of the bandits hit him.

Also, the bandits after abducting the occupants of the bus, burnt the vehicle including the luggages of the victims.

The chairman of Borgu council, Alhaji Sulaiman Yerima, when contacted confirmed the incident describing it as unfortunate.

He said the bandits were requesting for N17 million before they could release those abducted , adding  that he had informed the commissioner for local government, who will pass the information to “all relevant authorities”.

Yerima disclosed that “the bandits have made contact with the local government demanding for N17 million ransom. Where will I get N17 million?”.

As an interim measure, the chairman advised motorists plying the roads in the local government especially in the night to alert the local vigilantes who will provide them adequate security cover until the situation improves.