Gunmen attacked a village in Nigeria’s northern Niger state on Wednesday, killing at least 10 farmers, according to local residents.
The armed groups, often referred to as bandits, have been terrorizing communities in northwest Nigeria, frequently carrying out kidnappings for ransom, targeting residents, farmers, students, and motorists.
Witnesses from the Allawa community in Shiroro local government area told Reuters on Thursday that the attack occurred late on Wednesday when the farmers were ambushed in their fields.
“The farmers were trapped, and 10 were killed yesterday evening on their farms,” said Hassan Abubakar, a resident of the community.
Another resident, Indamishe Auwal, who assisted in retrieving the bodies, expressed deep frustration over the worsening insecurity in the region. “Shiroro is bleeding. Our people are suffering, and bandits have taken over our farmlands,” Auwal said.
Niger state police spokesperson Wasiu Abiodun has not yet commented on the incident.
