Fear has gripped villagers in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State as the death toll has risen to 70 after armed bandits continued their unabated attacks on villages under it.
At least eight villages have been sacked and over 1,000 people displaced.
Our correspondent gathered that the figure of killed persons rose from 15 when the attack was first reported earlier in the week as the bandits attacked more villages.
It was gathered that several injured persons were rushed to various hospitals in Kuta, Erena and Zumba towns, while the displaced are seeking refuge in seven Internally Displaced Persons camps.
In a report made available to newsmen on Thursday by Senator David Umaru of Niger East Senatorial District, the massacre indicated that within the last six days, 19 people have died in Kwaki village, 14 in Barden Dawaki village, while eight were killed in Ajatawyi village.
Other casualties included seven dead in Gwassa, five in Ajayin Bataro, four in Bwailo, three in Baton village and two in Giji village.
Findings have it that over 800 cattle have been rustled during the period.
Lamenting the rate at which the bandits have attacked the people, Umaru appealed to President Muhammadu Buhari to come to the rescue of the Niger East Constituency from the ravaging bandits.
According to him: “I am pleading with Mr. President, Muhammadu Buhari, to order the relocation of security chiefs to the area to immediately curtail the carnage.
“I am in pains and sorrow over the killing of my people by armed bandits who have occupied most of our communities in the past few days.
“It is horrible that over 69 people have been killed and over 1,000 displaced and yet there is no respite for the good people of my constituency.
“The situation is beyond the capacity of police.
“I therefore appeal to President Buhari to order the military into the area to stop the bandits.
“I am also calling on the General Officer Commanding of 1 Division, Nigeria Army, Kaduna to deploy more personnel to save the villagers from the onslaught of the bandits.”
Senator Umaru further stressed the need for the state government to give priority to the provision of adequate logistics in assisting security agencies in the area.
Confirming the attacks and killings, the Public Relations Officer, Niger State Police Command, Muhammad Abubakar, told our Correspondent on the telephone: “For now, our record shows only 12 deaths so far.”
Abubakar added that the State Command has drafted its men in collaboration with other security agencies to the trouble areas.
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