Thirteen farmers were tragically killed by suspected bandits in Niger State's Shiroro LGA, with nine shot on their farms and four others killed separately. The attack, allegedly motivated by accusations of aiding security forces, has led to widespread fear among local farmers, prompting many to abandon their fields.
In a tragic incident on Wednesday, 13 farmers were killed by gunmen suspected to be bandits in the Ijuwa fringes of the Alawa community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State. According to Akilu Isyaku, the LGA Chairman, nine victims were shot dead on their farms, while four others were killed at a different location the same day. The attack is believed to have targeted the community due to allegations that members were providing intelligence to security agencies about the bandits' activities.
Niger State's acting Governor, Yakubu Garba, condemned the attack as "satanic and callous" and expressed his condolences to the affected families and the Shiroro LGA community.
The incident has caused fear among local farmers, with many abandoning their farms to avoid further attacks. The killings come at a critical time when farmers typically spend extended hours in their fields, heightening concerns about food security in the region. The community continues to grapple with the impact of banditry, which has disrupted lives and livelihoods in the area.
