Bandits Kill 14 in Niger Village

Matilda Omonaiye/

At least 14 people have reportedly been killed by gunmen at Ukuru Village in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.

The attack and casualty figure was confirmed by the police spokesman in Niger State, ASP Abiodun Wasiu.

Wasiu revealed that the gunmen attacked the village at about 3:30 pm on Wednesday.

According to him five other persons sustained gunshot injuries and were taken to the Mariga General Hospital for medical treatment.

The police command spokesman noted that policemen and local vigilante were already on the trail of the assailants who he claimed were cattle rustlers.

A resident of the community, Musa Audu, who witnessed the attack explained that the gunmen invaded the community at a time when members of the vigilance group were out of the community to patrol the forests in the area.

Audu, whose cousin was among those killed by the gunmen, added that the attack took place on the popular Mariga market day which had many traders from various locations.

He said bodies of 15 persons were found, adding that many people who sustained injuries ran into a nearby bush and they were still being searched for.