Niger State Families Endure Bandit Attack With Nowhere Else to Turn

For families in Felegi community, Mashegu Local Council of Niger State, Sunday, September 6, brought fresh terror as armed bandits stormed the area in an attempt to abduct residents, leaving many with no choice but to stay in a community they now consider unsafe.

The attackers arrived in large numbers and succeeded in kidnapping some residents before local vigilantes stepped in and engaged them in a fierce gun battle.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, described how quickly the vigilantes responded once the attack began.

"When the bandits attacked our community, the vigilantes engaged them, and one of the bandits was killed. However, they still succeeded in kidnapping some of our people," he said.

Despite the vigilantes' efforts, the bandits managed to escape with the abducted residents, leaving families in the community shaken and fearful of what might come next.

Yet, for all the danger, the resident explained that leaving Felegi simply is not an option for most families there.

"I want to confirm that our community is not safe at all, but we have no choice because there is nowhere to go. That is why we remain here," the resident said.

He explained that moving to an Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp was not something residents considered a real solution, while relocating to towns would demand money many families simply do not have.

"We are farmers, and we have no other business. If we move to the town, we will have to rent houses, but we don't have the money," the resident added.

As of the time of filing the report, the Niger State Police Command and the state government had yet to issue an official statement on the attack.