Bella Ifasola
MINNA, Nigeria – Terrorists – locally dubbed as bandits in Nigeria have ordered the residents of M.I Wushishi Estate in Minna, Niger State, to vacate the estate or get killed, a local newspaper reported.
The bandits suspected to be miners reportedly invaded the estate when most of the male residents had gone to work.
A resident who pleaded anonymity on Monday told The Punch newspaper that the attack came after residents had gone to report the matter at a neighbourhood police station.
“Hoodlums we suspect as miners in the neighbourhood have asked all the residents of MI Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, the Niger State Capital to vacate their homes or get killed,” the resident said.
“These guys invaded the community in broad light, breaking window glasses. several cars were also damaged.
“You will know that the attack came after residents reported to the police how illegal miners in the community have caused damage to our homes.
“These guys told us that they were coming for us and they came. They came after most men had gone to work. Many top civil servants, including directors and permanent secretaries, live in the estate.
“I know of many people who have moved out of the estate this evening for fear of the attacks. Nowhere is safe in the state. If bandits and terrorists are not chasing people from their homes it is hoodlums and miners. Where is government for the Sake of Allah.”
The Niger State Police Command’s spokesman, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the attack but noted that peace had returned to the estate.
Abiodun said: “On 02/09/2024 at about 1400hrs, a distress call was received that suspected illegal miners, miscreants/thugs engaged in a fight and were attacking houses at M.I Wushishi Estate, Minna.
“Police patrol teams led by DPO Maitumbi moved to the scene and the miscreants were dispersed, however, one person among the gangs whose identity is yet to be known was killed by the hoodlums, and was taken to the general hospital morgue.
“Meanwhile, normalcy was restored, investigation is ongoing to arrest the assailants and the patrol teams have been positioned in the area to forestall reoccurrence.”
Insecurity and violence in Nigeria
For more than a decade, civilians in Nigeria have faced multiple security threats and risk of atrocities as result of attacks, kidnappings and extortion by various non-state armed groups.
Since the start of 2024 civilians have faced intensified violence across Nigeria, and near-daily attacks by armed groups resulting in kidnappings and other abuses against civilians.
Armed groups and gangs, including so-called “bandits,” have – for many years – perpetrated widespread atrocities, including murder, rape, kidnapping, organized cattle-rustling and plunder. Armed herdsmen are also destroying vast swaths of farmland, prompting many farmers to abandon their land out of fear of attack.