Bandits Attacked Military Camp In Niger, Security Also Whisked Away Emir In Zamfara – Details…
The report have it that the Minna- Suspected Boko Haram insurgents yesterday sacked the military base at Allawa town in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, as residents ran away from various communities in the area to avoid being shot or kidnapped.
It was also gathered that bandits attacked the palace of the emir of Zurmi, Alhaji Mohammed Bunu yesterday, but was not succeded in kidnapping him as he was whisked away to the state capital, Gusau, by security agents.
According to the source, the Niger incident was said to have occurred at about 1:30 am, as the insurgents invaded the town on motorcycles with not less than three on each bike fully armed. They were said to have numbered about 200.
Thenewskingdom correspondent reliably gathered that the armed men must have embarked on a reprisal mission after the military neutralized about fifty of them in a fierce battle in the area last week.
An eyewitness living in the area who preferred to address Pressmen on anonymity, also told our correspondent that a greater number of the insurgents stormed the military camp and sacked those on duty, while others invaded Allawa town and rained bullets on houses.
Among other items that carted away from the residents of the town were cash, foodstuffs, other handy valuables and other adjourning villages.
As as the time of filling this report yesterday, the number of casualties recorded in the village and on the side of the military and the terrorists could not be ascertained.
“There was a fierce battle between the insurgents and the military and it was around 1:30 am. It lasted for some hours”.
“Because it was midnight, the number of casualties could not be ascertained,” the eyewitness said.
It was also gathered that the military camp had been deserted by the military personnel deployed to the area.
Consequently, residents of Allawa town and adjourning communities, such as Pandogari, Kukoki, and Bassa among others, have started fleeing the area to safe grounds.
It should be also recalled that just last week, suspected Boko Haram members ambushed and killed two military officers and four soldiers at Karaga in the same Shiroro Local Government Area.
All efforts to get confirmation and response to the issue from the state police command through the spokesman, Superintendent of Police Wasiu Abiodun, proved abortive as his number could not be reached.
