Victims of last week’s Shiroro communities bandit attacks have told the Niger state Governor Abubakar Sani Bello they will not return back to their communities until they are sure of adequate security for them.
One of the injured persons from Kwaki community, Danjuma Tanko, who spoke on behalf of other injured person made the stand of the people known while explaining how the attacks occurred to the Governor during a visit to the Internal Displaced Person (IDP) camp in Erena in Shiroro local government area.
Tanko, who is recuperating from gunshot wounds, said there was no security in the communities when the attacks occurred pointing out they were not ready to pass through another trauma of bandit attacks.
Bello told the injured victims security would be beefed up in the affected areas, adding troops have already been sent to the areas.
He, however, lamented the area is marshy, rocky and impassable, which has made most of the areas inaccessible, stating that they would ensure that adequate security arrangement is made.
“We would beef up security in the contiguous areas, unfortunately, access to these areas is almost impossible because it is mostly mashy and rocky but we have been able to send security personnel there so that the local people can go back to their various homes.
“I have spoken to a few of them and I understand their fear, they are scared to go back home and I do not blame them. I do not blame them for being scared but I think we have sent enough troops to these communities to provide adequate security for the time being. We are doing our best to make sure they go back home, as we look at the comprehensive plan for providing more security,” he stressed.
The governor further confirmed 37 persons have been killed while 27 were being treated with various gunshot wounds.
Director of the Primary Healthcare Centre in Shiroro, who heads the IDPs camp clinic, MUSA Idris Aliyu said 513 patients have been treated in the last one week.
He said there were adequate medical supplies for the treatment of the people while relief materials have been brought in for the people.
The acting Director General of the Niger state Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA), Abdullahi Tanko Zumba said there are currently 2004 persons in the IDP camp in Erena, adding 24 injured persons are still receiving treatment.
He stated that the government has provided food and non food items worth over N20 million which include food items, cooking and eating utensils, toiletries, buckets and beddings.
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