Suspected bandits have reportedly set a primary school on fire in Dekara town, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, despite allegedly collecting a ₦10 million levy from communities in the area after promising not to attack them.
Residents told Daily Trust that the gunmen invaded the community on Wednesday and razed the Central Primary School, Dekara, during the attack.
According to residents, the attackers emerged from the Kainji Lake National Park before storming the district headquarters.
One resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the bandits had earlier demanded ₦10 million from villages across the Dekara District.
He explained that the communities were forced to raise and pay the money after the armed men threatened to attack them if they failed to comply.
According to the resident, the bandits assured community leaders that once the levy was paid, residents would be allowed to remain in their communities without further attacks.
“The bandits imposed a ₦10 million levy on communities in the district. The money was paid because they threatened to attack us if we failed to comply.
“But despite receiving the money, they still attacked the district headquarters and burnt down the primary school,” the resident said.
The latest attack has heightened fears among residents, who say they now feel abandoned despite complying with the demands of the armed groups.
In a separate incident, suspected bandits also launched coordinated attacks on Dnakau, Lanta and Unguwan Kawo communities in Shiroro Local Government Area of the state.
Residents said the attackers stormed the communities, killing one person and abducting several others.
Among those reportedly abducted was Moses Joseph from Unguwan Kawo.
Another victim, identified as Emma from Bagna community, sustained gunshot wounds during the attack.
Residents also confirmed that Halilu Tanko was shot dead during the raid.
The fresh attacks add to the growing insecurity affecting several communities across Niger State, where armed groups have continued to carry out kidnappings, killings and attacks on public facilities despite ongoing security operations.
