•Bandits
Armed Bandits numbering well over 50 yesterday invaded a village market in Madaka community, Rafi local government area of Niger State and killed no fewer than 21 persons in one of the brutal attacks in recent time.
Also killed is the village of Madaka whose name was not immediately known as at the time of filing this report.
According to a source close to the community, the attack occurred at about 3:00pm when the village market was in full swing with beehive of activities, reports Daily Sun.
It was further gathered that the bandits set ablaze a number of motorcycles, 50 shops and vehicles during the bloody incident.
The bandits were said to have invaded the village market and shooting sporadically into the air as the people scramble for their lives.
Majority of the people killed were those who attempted to escape the onslaught, while several others were injured, including women and children.
Unspecified number of the villagers, mostly women were abducted and whisked away during the attack which the people said lasted for over two hours.
The Gunmen were yet to make any contact with their families as at the time of the report.
The district head of Madaka, Alhaji Isah Bawale who is currently taken refuge in Minna, the state capital, confirmed the incident to our Correspondent in Minna on a telephone interview.
It could be recalled that a similar bloody attack occured in the community three years ago leading to the killing of the then District Head and a number of people.
Madaka community has never enjoyed security presence despite the repeated attacks by the gunmen.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) SP Wasiu Abiodun could not be reached for his confirmation of the latest attack.
Meanwhile, the state government is yet to issue a statement on the incident
