Many feared killed, residents flee as bandits invade Niger market

An unspecified number of people have been reportedly killed when bandits invaded a market in Madaka community, Rafi LGA of Niger State.

The residents said the attackers invaded the market on Thursday when the market was at its peak, shooting sporadically at people.

Details of the attack were still sketchy at the time of filing this report but one of the residents who spoke in confidence said the number of casualties had not been ascertained yet.

The people said the attack came two days after bandits also attacked Pangu Gari, killing the district head and four other people.

The Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Brig Gen. Bello Abdullahi Mohammed (rtd), confirmed the attack.

Though he did not give details of the attack, he said the state government was working in collaboration with security agencies to put an end to the incessant attacks on farming communities in the state.