At least nine people have been killed, while two vigilantes sustained gunshot injuries in a series of attacks on communities in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State between Thursday and Saturday.
The attacks began on Thursday when an improvised explosive device (IED) exploded along the Dakera-Babanna Road, killing four people.
A resident, Mallam Hassan Mohammed, told Daily Trust that the truck conveying the victims ran over an IED believed to have been planted by suspected terrorists, killing the four occupants on the spot.
“Yes, four people died in the IED explosion. The victims were Boko boys,” one of the sources said.
On Friday, suspected terrorists attacked Kpenya and Dekara communities, killing three people.
The victims were identified as Mallam Yusuf Na Allah, a former principal of Government Day Secondary School (GDSS), Dekara; Alhaji Zakari Abubakar, the Gbaoki of Kpenya; and Mallam Sani.
The attacks continued on Saturday evening when suspected Boko Haram terrorists reportedly killed two farmers and injured two vigilantes during an attack on Pissa community in Gbeswa Ward of Borgu Local Government Area.
Residents told Daily Trust that the victims were returning from their farm when they encountered the attackers along the Pissa Road and were shot dead.
“Our vigilantes from Zongonji mobilised and engaged the attackers between Pissa and Bakaranbani (Kampke). During the exchange of gunfire, two vigilantes sustained gunshot injuries.
“The suspected terrorists later retreated towards the Sabidogo axis after the confrontation,” a resident said.
He said the repeated attacks have created fear across Pissa and neighbouring communities, forcing many people to flee their homes.
The resident added that movement along farm roads and other rural routes in Gbeswa Ward has become unsafe because of the threat of further attacks, kidnappings and destruction of property.
The spokesperson for the Niger State Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun, said he would verify the incidents and respond, but had not done so as of the time of filing this report.
