Bandits have wreaked havoc in Matane, hometown of the Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ahmed Ibrahim Matane.

The village is in Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, which has recorded multiple attacks in recent times.

Bandits invaded the village on Tuesday, setting shops, houses and other valuables ablaze.

The attackers also invaded Bamba-Lamba community, a few kilometers Eastern Kontagora.

A resident of Bamba-Lamba, Hashimu Ahmed, told our correspondent that the the bandits struck around 5pm and set the entire community ablaze.

“They surrounded the community. I was able to escape to Kontagora town with my family. They set our homes ablaze. We now live in an open place; we need help,” he said.

The State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar, confirmed the attack to our correspondent.

He said several houses and shops as well as other belongings were burnt by the bandits.

Umar said he could not confirm the casualties.

The Commissioner explained that the attackers moved from one village to another, noting that security operatives have been on the trail of the bandits since Monday when they blocked Minna-Suleja road.

He said the bandits were frustrated because their only escape route to Zamfara had been blocked by the troops.

Daily Trust