Two fleeing Niger residents die as abductors reduce ransom in Kwara
Residents of Bassa and surrounding communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have abandoned their homes in large numbers, rendering the towns virtually deserted, after rumours of an impending bandit attack sparked widespread panic.
Two women, who had high blood pressure, were said to have collapsed and died as they rushed out of the town to Kuta, which is the headquarters of the council area.
Local sources said vigilantes in Bassa saw helicopters hovering around the community in the morning and interpreted the movement as preparation for a bandit assault or reprisal.
A source said, “The vigilantes believe that they lacked sufficient weapons to confront the threat, hence the reason why the vigilantes fled. Their departure left the community unprotected, prompting residents to follow suit and abandon the town.
The state government and Senator Mohammed Sani Musa, representing Niger East, have condemned the attack.
Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Abubakar Usman, said the state government strongly flayed the heinous and senseless banditry attack that occurred in the area.
Journalists (NUJ) secretariat in Ilorin, the coordinator, Balogun Oladiran Johnson, disclosed that the Omugo community has been attacked several times in six months.
He said: “The constant attacks on Omugo reveal glaring gaps in security coverage and underscore the urgent need for decisive government intervention.
“Beyond the immediate suffering of the victims and their families, the persistence of such attacks threatens rural stability, public confidence in governance, and the protection of fundamental human rights.
“This is the third time in six months that the shadow of terror has fallen upon our land. This time, the predators succeeded, turning a day of worship into a nightmare of blood and tears.
“This is not merely a security breach; it is a brutal assault on our faith, our dignity, and our very right to exist.”(Guardian)
