Madaka community within the Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State has been left in a state of dilemma as suspected armed terrorists wrought havoc, claiming the lives of no fewer than 21 individuals, among them, the village head.
The incident happened around 3 pm on Thursday, amidst the bustling activity of the community market, resulting in several casualties.
According to report, the scene was in utmost chaos, with approximately 50 residences engulfed in flames, along with several commercial establishments, and a number of automobiles and motorcycles reduced to charred remnants.
READ MORE: Rivers Assembly Defies Fubara, Passes New Law in Emergency Session
The terrorists, armed and unrelenting, were said to have descended upon the village with merciless gunfire and reduced the once-vibrant market to ash. Furthermore, they fearlessly abducted an unknown number of villagers, bundling them to an undisclosed location.
Alhaji Isah Bawale, a respected district head, confirmed the tragic incident in a telephone interview from Minna, the state capital. This tragedy was a repetition of what happened years ago in the community which claimed the life of a former district head.
Efforts to seek clarification and assurance from the Niger State Command of Police, through the Public Relations Officer, SP Wasiu Abiodun, were met with promises of verification and a follow-up, though no response had been forthcoming at the time of filing this report.
