By Friday Olokor, Stephen Angbulu and Aisha Wakaso

Three people have been killed and 28 abducted by gunmen in Farin-Shinge, Kulho, Jigawa, Dogo Fadama communities of Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State.

The abductions and killings were carried out between Friday and Saturday in the communities.

This is just as the President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), directed the nation’s armed forces to embark on a major military operation to end killings and kidnappings in the state.

The Vice-Chairman of Kontagora Local Government Area, Aliyu Makiga, who confirmed the attack on Farin Shinge community, said the gunmen stormed Tegina in large number to carry out the attack.

“They kidnapped a lot of people; some have been released while others are still with them,” he said.

Makiga revealed that the gunmen have demanded for seven 50 litres gallons of fuel, packs of Viju Milk and other drinks as ransom for the abductees from the Farin-Shinge community.

“They are demanding for ransom of seven 50 litres gallons of petrol, Viju Milk and other drinks,” he said.

Another group of gunmen were said to have attacked Jigawa, Dogo Fadama and surrounding communities, killing two people while four others were abducted.

According to a resident of Jigawa community, Umar Mohammed, the gunmen conducted a house-to-house search, rustling cattle and abducting people.

Mohammed said although the attack took the community unaware, majority of the residents were able to escape when the gunmen arrived.

In Kulho community, the gunmen began the attack at about 3.30 pm and ended the operation at about 6pm.

A resident named Tanko Kulho was shot dead and 16 people were abducted while shops were looted and over 18 motorcycles stolen by the gunmen.

A resident in Kulho, Abdulrahman Adamu, who confirmed the attack, said six of his family members, including his three elder brothers, were among those who were abducted.

“We were all seated at the market square when we saw many motorcycles carrying at least three people on each and they were well armed with AK-47. The operation started around 3.48 pm and they left Kulho at around 6.07 pm.

“Many people were abducted. Six of my family members were abducted. They include my elder brothers, Yakubu Kulho, Gambo Kulho, Haruna kulho, my younger brother, Baba Nda Karami, my nephew, Mohammed Gaddafi, and my elder brother’s wife, Salaha Kulho. Six of them in my family were taken,” he said.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the abduction but said only 15 people were abducted.

Originally published at Punch