Bandits Burn Niger School After Collecting N10m Levy

Bandits have reportedly set ablaze a primary school in Dekara town, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, despite allegedly collecting a N10 million levy from communities in the area.

Residents told Daily Trust that the attackers burnt down Central Primary School, Dekara, during an attack on the town on Wednesday.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits emerged from the Kainji Lake National Park and invaded the community.

According to him, villages and communities in Dekara District recently raised and paid N10 million demanded by the bandits after they threatened to attack them if the levy was not paid.

He said the payment was made following assurances from the bandits that residents would be allowed to remain in their communities without further attacks.

“The bandits imposed a N10 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.

In a related development, bandits reportedly launched fresh attacks on Dnakau, Lanta and Unguwan Kawo communities in Shiroro Local Government Area.

Residents said one person was killed while another was kidnapped during the attacks.

The victims were identified as Moses Joseph of Unguwan Kawo, who was abducted, and Emma from Bagna community, who was shot during the raid.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Niger State Police Command were unsuccessful.

The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, neither answered phone calls nor responded to a text message sent to him as of the time of filing this report.