Many Killed As Bandits Allegedly Down NAF Helicopter

Bandits at the moment wreaking havoc in the Chukuba Ward of the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State have killed 13 soldiers in the state.

The bandits were said to have ambushed and killed 13 soldiers along the Zungeru-Tegina road in the Madaka Ward of the Rafi Local Government Area of the state.

The criminals were also said to have brought down a Nigerian Air Force fighter helicopter on Monday morning in the area and killed the pilot.

The convener, Shiroro Concerned Youths, Mr. Sanni Kokki, revealed this on Monday.

Kokki said, “The unfortunate incident happened on Monday morning. As we speak, villagers living around the area are all now moving toward Erena.

“This is another problem because people are being displaced from their traditional homes to unknown destinations.

“We are having another humanitarian crisis on our hands with the economic challenges confronting our people.”

Confirming the incident, the senator representing Niger East Senatorial District, Sani Musa, lamented the situation calling it highly unfortunate.

He urged the Federal Government to dispatch all its military and security arsenals to the troubled areas to save innocent lives and their property.

Musa said, “This is a very serious situation happening at a time we are happy that the issue of banditry is subsiding in our various communities in Niger State.

“The Federal Government should, as a matter of urgency, deploy all its arsenal to curtail further spread.

“We have been having a reduction in cases of attacks but now it appears as if there is a serious escalation of the situation.

“The most alarming situation now is that the attacks look like a planned work because the bandits are carrying out their operations simultaneously in many parts of Niger State.

“Government should please, as a matter of urgency, take drastic action on it and save lives and property of our people.”