Army Officer Feared Missing as Bandits Sack Military Camp in Niger

By Laleye Dipo

Just three weeks after bandits sacked men of the Tactical Task Force from their camps at Bassa and Allawa in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, yesterday, armed men again attacked and displaced soldiers from their base in Zagzaga in Munya LGA of the state.

The raid carried out by about 60 AK-47-totting bandits riding on motorcycles took place at about 4 a.m. yesterday.

Eyewitnesses said the bandits divided themselves into three groups to carry out the attack, with each of the group strategically positioned to ward off any counter attack.

During the operation, according to a report, the primary school which the soldiers had been using as their based was burnt down.

Also, one of the operational vehicles of the security operatives was burnt while the bandits went away with another military truck with which they used to evacuate both the injured and dead among them.

They reportedly headed towards Birningwari in Kaduna State.

“There was a heavy gun battle between the soldiers and the bandits; some of the bandits were neutralised while one soldier was still missing.

“Apart from the missing soldier, one military man described as Regimental Sergeant Major has not been found since the incident happened,” an eyewitness told THISDAY on phone.

It was gathered that the bandits from Zagzaga moved towards Guni in the same local government area, killing and maiming people in broad day light.

A military helicopter was however seen hovering in Minna, giving the impression that reinforcement could be on the way to Zagzaga.

THISDAY learnt that a 70-year-old man was also beaten to coma before being abducted by his assailants who are now demanding N2million ransom for his release.

A resident of Bakin Kogi (Lagbe) in Gurmana District of Shiroro LGA, Amadu Siyiko, also had his house and food barns burnt down.

Meanwhile, the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Wasiu Abiodun, could not be reached for comments on the incident.