In a tragic incident, more than 20 young men were brutally killed by suspected terrorists in the Bassa community of Shiroro local government area, Niger State.
The victims, aged between 20 and 35, were caught off guard by the heavily armed assailants.
Eyewitnesses reported that the attackers, numbering over 50, operated with sophisticated weapons during their assault, which lasted from 3 pm to 7 pm.
The attackers not only executed the young men but also forced their families to carry the headless bodies while they recorded the horrific scenes.
The terrorists targeted 20 adults and attempted to forcibly recruit 10 young men. When these young men resisted, they were beheaded, while the remaining 10 were shot at close range.
This violent act has led residents to believe that Boko Haram insurgents were behind the attack, rather than ordinary terrorists.
“They warned us that anyone who refused to join their group would face similar consequences. They claimed the beheading of the ten young men was meant to serve as a warning. We believe these attackers are from Boko Haram,” a resident explained.
The community members were also told that the attacks were a result of their refusal to vacate the area as previously warned by the terrorists. The insurgents demanded that either the residents’ children join their ranks, or the community be abandoned.
So far, there has been no official statement from the state government or the state Police Command. Efforts to reach the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer were unsuccessful.
However, Senator Mohammed Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District, confirmed the killings, expressing profound sorrow and describing the situation as heart-wrenching.
He condemned the barbaric nature of the attacks, especially the beheading of young boys.
Senator Musa also highlighted the dire implications of these attacks on the community’s farming activities, which are crucial for their livelihood. He noted that ongoing violence threatens to disrupt the only source of income for these peasant farmers.
“This is my darkest moment as a representative. My people are being slaughtered mercilessly. These are innocent farmers; what do these attackers want from them? Do they aim to drive them off their lands?” the Senator questioned.
Just three weeks prior, bandits attacked the nearby Kuchi community, killing seven security personnel and abducting about 150 people, leaving the area deserted. This latest atrocity has only deepened the despair and uncertainty facing the residents of Niger State.