Daredevil gunmen on Friday 12th November, reportedly killed three residents during an attack in Allawa community in Alllawa Ward, Shiroro local government area of Niger state.
The gunmen were also reported to have injured yet to be ascertained number of residents during the Friday afternoon attack.
A source from the community who craved anonymity told MBT that the attackers were heavily armed and invaded the community in a “large number”.
“They were so many and well armed, they started shooting sporadically when they got into the community.
“Three people were killed including the son of the Ward Councillor, many others were injured during the attack.” He said.
Shiroro, an agrarian community situated on 9.9822° N, 6.8093° E in the North Central region of Nigeria has suffered numerous attacks from armed group the Nigerian government and media often refer to as “bandits”.
In October, the Chairman of Shiroro local government, Hon. Suleiman Chukumba told journalists in Minna the state capital that Boko Haram terrorists have taken over 500 communities in eight Wards of the local government.
“As the chairman of Shiroro LGA, I can tell you that Shiroro is not only dealing with the issue of banditry, it has a lot of Boko Haram. I have proof of this as the chairman.
The chairman further said that Boko Haram terrorists had warned that they do not want conventional primary and secondary schools in the area but Islamic schools.
“They have told the people that they do not want primary or secondary school in the communities and that they only want to see Islamic schools.
“They have been trying to incorporate and recruit residents of the communities to become their members, telling them that they will give the recruits arms and assist them in fighting the government,” Chukumba stated.
It will be recalled that Governor Abubakar Bello of Niger state had early this year raised alarm over influx of Boko Haram terrorists into the state. The governor further said that Boko Haram terrorists had hoisted their flag in some communities in Shiroro local government, 243 km away from Abuja the seat of the Central government.
As at the time of filing this report, MBT could not independently verify the number of people injured or houses destroyed during Friday’s attack.
Efforts to speak with the Niger state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun proved abortive as calls and messages sent to his mobile phone were not immediately returned.