Militants murder four people, torch villages in Kebbi state

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By Haruna Aliyu

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Armed bandits carrying dangerous weapons attacked and set communities ablaze in the Gebbe District of Shanga Local Government Area of Niger State on Sunday night.

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Reports indicate that the attackers emerged from their hideout in the Wawa Forest in Borgu Local Government Area, which borders the affected communities in Shanga.

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The communities affected include Kalkami, Tungar Bori, and Kawara, among others.

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Available information confirmed that, in addition to Kalkami, the bandits also burnt down Kawara village on Monday morning.

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Across all the affected communities, an undisclosed number of deaths and casualties were recorded.

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A resident of the area, who spoke to our correspondent on the condition of anonymity, said that four people have so far lost their lives as a result of the attack.

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The Vice Chairman of Shanga Local Government Area, Adamu Gebbe, confirmed the incident, noting that this was not the first time bandits had attacked the area.

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Also condemning the incident in a phone conversation with our reporter, the District Head of Gebbe, Alhaji Haruna Usman, said residents of the affected communities had fled.

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According to him, some people are currently taking refuge on Gungu Island, while others remain in the forests in search of safety.

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Shanga Local Government Area has continued to face persistent attacks by bandits, cattle rustlers, and kidnappers seeking ransom payments.

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Kebbi Police Command image maker, SP Bashir Usman, said security personnel are on the ground to restore peace and normalcy in the affected villages.

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