Over 20 Niger Residents Drown In River While Fleeing Bandits Attack In Overloaded Boat

More than 20 people, including women and children, have reportedly drowned in Guni-Zumba River while escaping attacks by bandits in Niger State.

Niger Residents Fleeing Bandits’ Attack Drown In River

It was gathered that the incident happened on Wednesday morning when bandits simultaneously invaded Guni and Kurgbaku communities, forcing the residents to flee to Zumba and Gwada IDP camps through a boat.

A resident of the community, Shehu Abubakar, said the victims were crossing to the other side of the river when the boat they were in capsized in the middle of the water due to overload.

He said, “Bandits invaded our communities this (Wednesday) morning, and in an attempt to flee, some people drowned in Guni-Zumba River.

“Due to overloading, the boat capsized in the middle of the water. For now, we don’t know the number of casualties because we have not been able to rescue anybody.

“But I can tell you that over 20 people, including women and children, were involved.”

Another resident, Michael Madaki said, “Bandits attacked Guni community in Munya LGA of Niger State, the villagers trying to escape but their boat capsized.”

KanyiDaily had also reported how some residents who were fleeing from bandits killed seven children in a stampede in Shimfida village, Jibia LGA of Katsina State.