Bandits have killed at least 10 farmers, including women, from the Wayam and Belu-Belu villages in Rafi Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State, with residents reporting that six of the victims were beheaded. The attack, which occurred at dawn on Tuesday as villagers were performing early prayers, left many injured, with several individuals receiving treatment for gunshot wounds in a local clinic.
Witnesses shared that the attackers also kidnapped multiple villagers and forced locals from Wayam, Belu-Belu, Madaka, and surrounding communities to flee to the safety of Kagara town, the Rafi LGA headquarters. Bala Tukur, a local resident, described the trauma and disruption to harvesting efforts, with many forced to abandon their crops as bandit attacks intensified across the region. In Kukoki, farmers reportedly paid N1.5 million to secure their fields, only for bandits to return days later.
Further attacks have been reported across the region, including a bandit invasion of Zungeru town in Wushishi LGA, where residents were kidnapped from their homes and hotels. Among the abductees were Saidu Yakubu, a staff member of Sino-Hydro, and his wife. Additionally, two Indian nationals were kidnapped from a rice farm in Swashi, Borgu LGA, on November 2, where a vigilante guard was killed during the assault.
The Niger State Government, represented by Brigadier General Bello Abdullahi Mohammed, Commissioner for Homeland Security, confirmed awareness of the incidents. He assured residents that security forces were fully mobilized to address the violence and prevent further attacks in the affected areas.
