Bandits have reportedly burnt down 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 set Central Primary School, Dekara, on fire during Wednesday’s attack on the town.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits came out of the Kainji Lake National Park before invading the community.
He said villages and communities in Dekara District recently raised the N10 million demanded by the bandits after they threatened to attack if the money was not paid.
According to him, the payment was made after the bandits assured residents they would be allowed to stay 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 also reportedly attacked 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 a reaction from the Niger State Police Command were unsuccessful.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, neither answered phone calls nor replied to a text message sent to him as of the time this report was filed.
