Armed bandits have reportedly abducted two brides-to-be and 17 other people during an attack in Kutunku village in Wushishi LGA of Niger state.
The bandits reportedly parked their motorcycles in the bush and trekked into the village for the attack around 1am on Monday, operating for at least two hours.
The incident is the latest of incessant attacks by bandits in Niger, a trend that became more prominent after they abducted dozens of schoolchildren in Rafi LGA.
Residents said the bandits abducted 11 males and eight females. Two of the females were to be married this weekend.
Danjuma Tukura, headteacher of Kutunku, said “It was during the night that they entered our village and packed our people. They were many that attacked us and they packed 19 people, including six women”.
“They were walking on foot and where they took the people (abducted) was up to 10 kilometres to the main road where they kept their vehicles.
“We could not call the police; it was in the night and everybody was deciding for his own life. They are saying they will come back today.”
He disclosed that most of the women and children had left the village over fear of the next attack, leaving only the men.
