Terrorists have killed three passengers – woman and two men – on Sunday when when they attacked a vehicle on Sarkin-Pawa Road in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.
According to residents, the bandits opened fire on the vehicle when the speeding driver lost control and killed instantly two of the terrorists operating in the middle of the highway.
After killing the three passengers, the bandits stormed communities between Mutun-Daya and Gunu; a distance of about 20 kilometres from Minna, the state capital, causing residents to flee to Minna.
The communities attacked include Chibani, Kuchi, Injita and Gwada when they were still observing their early morning prayers.
From there, the terrorists continued their onslaught against communities between Mutun-Daya and Gunu which is a 10-minute drive from Minna, the state capital.
The sustained attacks trapped travellers in Gunu, Mutum Daya, Gwada, Sarkin Pawa and adjoining villages on Sunday morning.
Mutun Daya is also the town connecting Kuta, the headquarters of Shiroro LGA, Gwada and Zumba, housing camps with hundreds of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) from Munya and Shiroro LGAs.
Niger State Police spokesperson in the state, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said some of the terrorists were killed by the joint security operatives during a gun duel.
“On 15/05/2022 at about 0700hrs, information was received that suspected armed bandits were sighted at Zazagha and injita villages of Munya LGA. Joint security tactical teams were immediately drafted to the area, and discovered that the bandits had divided themselves into different groups, as some of the bandits had moved to Fuka and Daza villages of Munya LGA.
”The tactical teams advanced to these areas where the hoodlums were fiercely engaged in gun battle and repelled.
“The hoodlums later extended to Gwalo village, K/koro area of Paikoro LGA and the joint team responded swiftly, with recovery of cattle from the bandits. Reinforcements were sent to Mutun-Daya village via Gwada, Shiroro LGA upon the receipt of information that another group of bandits were sighted in the area.
“The bandits were equally engaged in a gun duel and some of them were neutralized while others escaped into the forest with gunshot injuries,” he said.
