Over 400 people killed in Niger East in 2016—Sen Umaru

Over 400 people killed in Niger East in 2016—Sen Umaru

Olabode Adaramola

Over 400 people across various communities in the Niger East Senatorial district lost their lives to cattle rustlers and armed bandits in 2016, Senator David Umaru has disclosed.

This he said, was aside what he referred to as “unprovoked military invasion” of Kpadna, Legbe and other communities in Bosso local government areas that led to the death of 22 people in August last year.

Speaking with newsmen yesterday in Minna, Umaru, who is also the chairman Senate committee on judiciary and human rights said several livestock including cows were rustled, while women and girls were abducted and raped by the marauders, who also burnt houses and other property in their wake.

He said communities bordering the neighbouring Kaduna state were the most vulnerable with the bandits capitalizing on the adjoining forest as escape route and safe abode.

Some  of  the communities, he explained includes Kaure, Kusasun, Mwaignu, Sabon Gida, Kwaki, Ajata, Kushaka, Bagna, Bassa/Kukoki, Allawa in Shiroro and Rafi local government areas among others.

He said in most of the attacks, security operatives always arrive the scene hours after the blood-letting with the marauders safely in their abodes, while calling for more proactive measures to halt the menace in the New Year.

“It is imperative to call on the state governor, Alhaji Abubakar Sani Bello to as a matter of urgent public importance, take immediate and more positive measures including directing the relocation of police SSS headquarters to the affected area to liberate our people,” he suggested.

He also urged the state government to make the outcome of the commission of inquiry which investigated the remote and immediate causes of the bloody clash between the military and some villagers in Bosso local government area public and also set up white paper committee to implement the report.