A resident of Raba Village in Magama Local Government Area of Niger State, Martha Magama, has recalled the terrifying ordeal she and her family faced at the hands of armed bandits.
She described the incessant violent attacks that led to the abduction of loved ones, destruction of farmlands and the complete displacement of her household as the worst nightmare she has ever had in her entire life.
Speaking in a telephone interview with our correspondent yesterday, the victim said the tragic events began as mere rumours in 2015 but quickly escalated into full-blown terror when bandits and terrorist groups began to invade surrounding communities and eventually stormed Raba and Nasko towns.
According to Magama, the villages of Raba and Nasko, once a quiet and peaceful settlement, was thrown into chaos and fear as heavily armed men launched repeated attacks on residents.
She still struggles to recover from the trauma of living under constant threat.
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Magama said: “My family and I live in constant fear at the thought of returning to our home country, knowing that we could be kidnapped, abducted or even killed by extremist groups who operate without consequence.”
She narrated how the attackers, dressed in camouflage and fully armed, struck her village, capturing her father-in-law after failed negotiations and pleas.
“They came out from both sides of the bush. We couldn’t escape. They took my father-in-law and left us traumatised,” she said.
The victim also recalled another deadly night on May 4, 2019, around 11:05pm, when gunmen raided her home, fired shots, killed her cousin and kidnapped three women, including young girls.
While local vigilantes managed to engage the attackers in a gunfight and pushed them back, she said the emotional and physical damage was already done.
Even worse, she recounted the horrific attack on March 15, 2022, when bandits killed the Divisional Police Officer in Magama, Umar Dakin, along with six vigilantes in broad daylight while they were trying to stop another invasion.
“These attacks scattered my entire family. Some fled the village, and others are still in hiding. We live in constant fear with no real support from security agencies,” she lamented.
She also accused some elements within the security forces of sabotaging efforts to stop the terrorists, alleging that some of the bandits enjoy insider support which gives them an opportunity to spread the network to other parts of the country.
“Despite efforts by the government to address the threat posed by these terrorists, very little progress has been made to ensure lasting safety or peace for people like us.
“In fact, it is widely believed that some of these extremist groups receive support from within the country’s own security forces — including the military, police, navy and air force.
“Corrupt individuals within these institutions have allegedly acted as sponsors or informants, using government resources to assist these dangerous groups rather than stop them.”
“This has made it nearly impossible for families like mine to get the protection we need.”
As of the time of filing this report, the situation in many rural communities of Niger State remains fragile, with residents continuing to flee from villages that come under frequent attacks.
The story of the Raba and Nasko residents echoes the pain of many other Nigerians who have suffered in silence under the grip of growing insecurity across the country.