61 Bodies Of Security Personnel And Civilians Recovered After Deadly Niger Bombing

Following a deadly bandit attack on Tuesday in Bagna, Erena, and other localities in Erena Ward of Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, no fewer than 61 bodies of security personnel and civilians have been recovered from the bush.

Locals informed Daily Trust that while civilians were buried in Erena, the remains of security operatives were taken to the mortuary of the Minna General Hospital. A resident who spoke anonymously said victims included security operatives, including vigilantes, and civilians, although police claimed only three vigilantes were killed.

The vigilante commander, Mr. Manga, who was reportedly rescued alive but later died from gunshot wounds sustained during a gun duel with the attackers.

Residents praised the response of security operatives who engaged and overpowered the attackers but blamed authorities for failing to act on prior intelligence. Panic spread to nearby communities as residents of Bassa in Bassa / Kukkoki Ward fled on Thursday following rumours of another planned attack.

Videos of women and children hurrying to board canoes in order to flee to safer locations were making the rounds on the internet. Hundreds have been displaced and are currently taking refuge at Zumba Central Primary School and other locations within Shiroro LGA.

Rabiu Iliyasu, a resident, stated, “In the morning on Thursday, we just started seeing planes b%mbing the surroundings of our community, and the security operatives in our community felt they had to leave because they were not informed to avoid accidental killings.”

He continued, “So, when they left, we all left because we had no one to protect us,”.

“Rumors had it that the bandits were converging at a location close to Bassa and the security forces advised residents to take cover or move out of town,” stated Suleiman Abdullahi, another resident.