At least 13 people were killed when terrorists attacked the Anguwan Mai-Giro community in Niger state on Wednesday night, the news Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported....READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE ▶▶
The Niger state government confirmed the attack but did not say the exact number of people killed.
Acting Governor Yakubu Garba described the attack as satanic, insensible, atrocious and callous, according to a statement by Ibrahim Bologi, the chief press secretary to the Niger governor.
Garba said the attack led to the death of many villagers.
No group has claimed responsibility for the attack but various terror groups, locally called bandits, operate in the state. The Anguwan Mai-Giro community is a border community between Shiroro and Rafi Local Government Areas of the state.
“It is very disheartening and disturbing for fellow humans to carry out such a barbaric and vicious act on their fellow humans,” Mr Garba was quoted as saying.
He commiserated with the victims’ families, community members, and the entire people of the council areas over the unfortunate incident.
He also reiterated the Mohammed Bago administration’s unwavering determination and commitment to address insecurity in the state.
The acting governor urged security agencies to redouble their efforts in the fight against insecurity and pledged the state government’s continuous support in all aspects to win the fight.
He, however, prayed for the repose of souls of those who lost their lives and Allah’s succour to those who sustained injuries.
Niger, in north-central Nigeria, is one of the most terrorised states in the country. Terrorists, locally called bandits, randomly attack communities, killing and kidnapping residents.
Other states that suffer from similar attacks include Benue, Kaduna, Zamfara and Katsina states.
…Tinubu mourns slain Sokoto monarch
Meanwhile, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has condemned the tragic circumstances leading to the passing of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Isa Bawa, the District Head of Gatawa District in Sabon Birni local government area of Sokoto state.
The president described the savage attack on the traditional ruler as deeply disturbing and a heinous act that would not go without a decisive response.
While condoling with family of the bereaved, the Gobir Emirate, and the government of Sokoto state, Tinubu prayed for the repose of the soul of the traditional ruler and comfort to his family at this difficult time.
The president assured Nigerians that his administration was aggressively removing threats to ensure the security of the nation and that these desperate acts of terror will be effectively countered.
…Coalition condemns murder
In a related development, the Coalition of Northern Groups (CNG) Thursday condemned the tragic abduction and brutal murder of the Emir of Gobir, His Highness Alhaji Isa Muhammad Bawa.
It said the heinous act is not only an attack on the monarch and the revered traditional institution but also a grave assault on the collective conscience of the society and totally unacceptable.
In a statement by the national coordinator of the group, Comrade Jamilu Aliyu Charanchi, the CNG condemned the Sokoto state government for what it called the nonchalant attitude towards the handling of the plight of the late emir which led to his unfortunate murder in the hand of the bandits.
“This depicts manifest incompetence and utter demonisation of our cultural and religious heritage from the government that is supposed to promote preservation of our tradition and pedigree.
“CNG is deeply concerned that the government has failed to prioritise the security and well-being of its people, instead choose to entangle security issues and traditional institutions in the web of political maneuvering,” it said.
CNG noted that the governor must confine politics to its proper domain and refrain from extending it to critical areas such as security and the preservation of royal institutions, as according to the group, it is apparent that the government places politics above governance and the lives of the people.
He said: “CNG observes that the governor has clearly surrendered the monarch to the bandits particularly after the emergence of the Emir’s video in the most dehumanised and humiliated manner pleading for his life and freedom only for the governor to turn a blind eye. The consequent carefree of the government depicts the highest form of irresponsibility.”
The group said although there were incidents of abductions of traditional rulers particularly in Zamfara, but this particular abominable murder remains the most devastating that has sunk the collapse of security into the ditch of despair.
CNG therefore extends its heartfelt sympathies and condolences to the emirate and good people of Gobir, Sokoto, Sultanate, traditional institutions and the entire people of northern Nigeria and the country at large.
“This is a colossal loss that pains throughout our nation and serves as a reminder on the urgent need for decisive action. CNG further expresses its deepest commiseration to all the people and their families who have been killed, victimised or affected by the senseless murders. We sympathise and empathise with all and sundry in these difficult moments in our history as a people.
“For those still languishing in the bandits’ den, it is absolutely repugnant with human civility for anyone to live under such cruel circumstances and we pray that Almighty God would save them from captivity across varied vast expanse of criminal hideouts in the north,” the statement said.
The coalition called on the police and other relevant security personnel to thoroughly investigate allegations against the alleged sponsor of the abduction and murder.
“This is necessary to unravel the truth behind the allegation and hold those responsible accountable,” the statement added.
