Hoodlums invade Niger communities, raze homes, rustle animals

Bandits have killed a retired Brigadier General of the Nigerian Army, Uwem Harold Udokwe, and seven others in Abuja, coupled with seven others at Mai Dabino Community in Danmusa Local Council of Katsina State.

Consequently, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has launched an investigation into the gruesome murder of the top military officer.

Udokwe was murdered by gunmen in the nation’s capital at the weekend.

A statement by the command’s spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said the deceased was attacked and killed at his Sunshine Homes Estate at about 3.00 a.m. on Saturday.

She said upon receipt of the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police, Benneth Igweh, “ordered a thorough and discreet investigation into the circumstances surrounding this regrettable event.”

She stated that the CP, who expressed condolences to the family of the deceased, assured them and the public of swift justice, vowing that the perpetrators would be apprehended and brought to justice.

Sunshine Estate is in the Lokogoma area of Abuja, close to the city centre. It is largely occupied by middle-class people, including senior government officials.

The latest incident adds to the concerns about insecurity in the FCT, where there have been cases of kidnapping across the different communities.

The Katsina incident was said to have occurred late Saturday night, with the hoodlums reported to have operated for hours into the early hours of Sunday. 

It was learnt that dozens of community members, including women and children, were abducted and whisked into the forest located close to the community. 

It was equally gathered that the hoodlums stormed the community in their numbers and set several homes and provision shops ablaze. 

A source familiar with the incident said the deceased persons were buried Sunday morning according to Islamic rites, while the injured have been hospitalised.

Danmusa is among several frontline council areas faced with security challenges, with communities located close to forest reserve areas being the most affected. 

Hundreds of lives have been lost, while thousands of victims have been abducted for ransom since the security situation reared its ugly head about a decade ago in the state.

The lawmaker representing the area in the state House of Assembly, Garba Aminu, who also confirmed the incident, said an inventory of lost lives and properties was being undertaken. 

Spokesperson for the police command in the state, ASP Abubakar Aliyu, equally confirmed the incident to newsmen. 

ALSO, Niger State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Disaster Management has confirmed bandits’ attacks at Lanta, Tunga, Dnakau and Juweedna communities of Erena in Shiroro Local Council of the state.

A statement by the Director of Media and Strategy in the ministry, Habibu Abubakar Wushishi, said the settlements were attacked on June 20, adding that many cattle and sheep were rustled.

It explained that no case of kidnapping was reported, stating that several homes in Lanta village were razed by the attackers.

The statement added that some 600 displaced persons are currently in Erena and Kuta IDP camps.