Protesting Youths Set Police Station Ablaze In Niger

Protesting youths on Monday vandalized and burnt the Gauraka police station in Tafa Local Government Area of Niger state over the abduction of 15 persons by bandits.

Fifteen (15) people were abducted by bandits in the Gauraka community when bandits in their large number stormed the community and abducted the residents.

The bandits were said to have moved from house to house to forcefully drag their victims out of their homes, a pregnant woman was said to be among the abductees.

An unspecified number of persons were said to have sustained injuries while unspecified number of people were said to have been killed in the incident.

The Youths who were protesting over what they termed as the increasing spare of abductions in Suleja and Tafa local government areas took to the road on Monday morning blocking the Kaduna-Abuja road.

The youths also went further to vandalize the police station and set it on fire.

The incident was confirmed in a press statement signed by the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Wasiu Abiodun.

The statement which called for calm stated that efforts are being made to rescue the victims while expressing dismay over the burning of the Gauraka Police outpost by the protesting youths

The statement read, “At about 0635hrs of the same date, some miscreants blocked both sides of Abuja–Kaduna expressway, protesting the recent cases of kidnapping in the community. The miscreants later extended the protest to Gauraka Police outpost, vandalized and set it ablaze.”

In a related development, 13 people were killed and 26 injured when Gunmen invaded Mangwaro village in Mariga local government area.

A Source said that the attack was heavily repelled which was led to the high number of death and injuries.

According to the Source, the vigilantes exchanged fire with the bandits for over two hours before the bandits retreated to the forest.

The Niger State Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Barrister Abdulmalik Sarkin Daji confirmed the incident saying that emergency support was provided to evacuate those who were wounded in the attack.

He said that those injured are currently receiving treatment in Kontagora.

The Niger State Deputy Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed Ketso who visited the hospital to sympathize with the victims assured them of the determination of the government to protect the lives and properties of Nigerlites.

Another 12 people were killed in different attacks in Guni and Kuchi communities in Munya Local Government Area of Niger State on Sunday evening.

Members of the two communities are said to have abandoned their ancestral homes for safety at different places.