The Police in Niger State has finally confirmed the killing of eleven persons in Wednesday’s attack on a bank and other houses at Kagara in Rafi local government area of the state.
Commissioner of Police in the Niger State, Adamu Usman gave the confirmation on Thursday shortly after visiting the area with some of his men.
He said six of the attackers were killed by policemen during the incident on Wednesday.
Usman, however, revealed that a policeman, a private security guard, a local vigilante and one resident were gunned down by the gunmen, while a boy died from shock.
Speaking on the attack on the bank, CP Usman said the attackers were unable to gain access into the bank due to heavy firepower from the Policemen who scared the attackers away.
On the same day, at least 17 persons were feared killed by bandits in Dukku community in Rijau local government area of Niger State.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers stormed the community at about 7:00 pm on Wednesday, and also attacked a bank at Kagara in Rafi local government area.
The attackers were said to have laid ambush on the community for several hours before unleashing mayhem on the people.
Those killed were mostly members of the local vigilante group in the area who had attempted to combat the gunmen but were overpowered.
A resident of the community told Channels Television via Telephone conversation that the bandits numbering over 120 stormed the community on bikes with sophisticated weapons.
Confirming the incident to Channels Television, the Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Muhammed Sani Idris however said people were killed, but that the casualty figure was yet to be ascertained.
“Many people were killed quite okay. But, we cannot tell the exact number of persons that were killed.
“We are still trying to gather more facts on the incident, and as soon as we have an official figure, I would communicate to you,” Idris said in a telephone conversation with our reporter in Minna the Niger State capital.