Fifteen persons have been confirmed dead in fresh attack by armed bandits in Ukuru village in Mariga local government area of Niger state.
Five others were said to have obtained various degrees of injuries in the afternoon raid by the bandits.
The gunmen were said to have invaded the village at about 3.30 pm on Wednesday on motorcycles and shooting sporadically.
Sources said most of the people killed were villagers sitting at a tea joint popularly called ‘Mai Shayi’ enjoying their late breakfast.
Sources said that the attack may be a reprisal attack as local vigilante had repelled an attack by bandits some days before and killed four of the bandits.
The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Abiodun Wasiu confirmed the incident saying the bandits also rustled several cattle during the attack.
“15 persons have been killed by gunmen at Ukuru Village in Mariga Local Government Area of the state. The attack occurred on Wednesday at about 15:30 hours.
“The command was informed that gunmen invaded Ukuru Village, opened fire on the natives and rustled several cattle in the process.
“At the end of the shooting, 15 people were confirmed dead while five others sustained various degrees of injury,” he said.
Wasiu further said that those injured were receiving treatment at Mariga General Hospital.
