Bandits kill three, burn houses in Niger — Police

The Niger State Police Command has confirmed the killing of three people by suspected bandits in Pissa village, Borgu Local Government Area.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, told the News Agency of Nigeria on Saturday that the bandits attacked the village at about 9:00 am.

He said some houses were set ablaze during the attack and added that the bandits were engaged by the military, but details of the encounter remained sketchy.

“The report received indicated that suspected bandits invaded Pissa village in Borgu LGA.

“Three persons were reportedly killed during the attack, and some houses were set ablaze.

“However, the military responded and engaged the terrorists, but further details are still sketchy,” he said.

PUNCH Online reports that the attack occurred after the state government and police denied the initial report of invasion that made schoolchildren in Minna, the Niger State capital, on Wednesday to hurriedly end school sessions and flee to their homes.

The PUNCH gathered that the pupils and students did not wait for closing time before taking to their heels over fears that bandits may have stormed their schools.

Parents who also heard of a possible invasion of Minna by terrorists made calls to the principals of their children’s schools to confirm whether the rumour was true and whether schools had actually been closed for the day.

But a statement by Abiodun at the time assured parents that the police were working round the clock to address the situation.

It said police officers visited all the schools mentioned in these areas, and no such attack occurred in any school within the state.