By Ada Okafor, with Agency Reports
Terrorists have reportedly wreaked havoc in Matane, hometown of the Secretary to the Niger State Government (SSG), Alhaji Ahmed Ibrahim Matane, razing it down.
Matane, a village in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, has been recording multiple terrorists attacks in recent times.
Sources confirmed that the terrorists invaded the village on Tuesday, setting shops, houses and other valuables on fire.
They also invaded Bamba-Lamba community, which is located a few kilometers from Eastern Kontagora, wrecking havoc there as well.
A resident of Bamba-Lamba, Hashimu Ahmed, said that the terrorists struck around 5pm on Tuesday and set the entire community ablaze.
“They surrounded the community. I was able to escape to Kontagora town with my family.
“They set our homes ablaze. We now live in open places; we need help,” he said.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security in the statr, Mr. Emmanuel Umar, confirmed the attacks, saying several houses and shops and other belongings were completely burnt by the bandits.
Umar, who said he could not confirm the casualties, explained that the attackers moved from one village to another.
He stated that security operatives have been on the trail of the bandits since Monday when they blocked Minna-Suleja road, adding that the terrorists were frustrated because their only escape route to Zamfara State had been blocked by the troops.
He however did not place on record any success in terms of arrest or elimination of the terrorists he claimed were frustrated.
There have been reports of terrible exploits of terrorists in Niger state, including purported deployment of helicopters, one of which was traced to an elderstatesman from the state, who simply dismissed the use of his helicopter “as inappropriate and unauthorised use”.
