Published 22nd Apr, 2021

By Ibrahim Adeyemi

The Nigerian Army has withdrawn its personnel from Zagzaga community in the Munya council area of Niger State following the recent attacks on its military base by bandits.

On Wednesday, around 4am, the armed group had attacked the community, killing and displacing residents, including soldiers securing the area. The organised criminal gang had engaged the soldiers in a gun battle at their base, setting one of their vehicles ablaze and burning down their food store.

The attack on the military camp forced soldiers to make a “tactical withdrawal” from the community, according to Ibrahim Matene, secretary to the state government.

FIJ gathered from locals that Zagzaga community is notorious for being the entry and exit routes for the bandits, hence the repeated attacks.

However, following the recent invasion into the community and withdrawal of the army, armed bandits have regrouped to launch more coordinated attacks.

According to Daily Trust, at least 15 persons were abducted in the early hours of Thursday, prompting hundreds of villagers and residents to seek refuge in neighbouring communities.

FIJ had exclusively reported how all officials of the Nigerian Army, Police and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), as well as the Civilian Joint Task Force and local vigilante withdrew from the Lakpma axis of Shiroro Local Government in the same state.

FIJ had also reported that more than 200 communities in the Lakpma axis are now under the control of bandits.

FIJ contacted ASP Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesperson of the Niger State Police Command, for comments but his lines were not reachable.

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