Bandits have killed three persons and abducted 15 women in an attack on some communities in Munya and Paikoro local government areas of Niger state on Sunday morning.

It was learnt 15 others were injured in the attack.

The invaded communities include Beni, old and new Dalolo, Aboloso, Ishau and Amale communities in Paikoro local government as well as Gwari Nyayi, Kabiri and Biri in Munya local government area.

Those killed were two vigilantes and a middle-aged man identified as Francis Daniel

It  was learnt the bandits, numbering over 200, invaded the communities in over 50 motorcycles in three different groups.

The District Head of Beni, Alhaji Jafaru Umar Sarki, who confirmed the attack, said it lasted for one hour on Saturday evening with the bandits looting shops and houses for foodstuff.

He said the bandits returned on Sunday morning and moved from one community to another targeting only foodstuff and provisions from shops in an operation that lasted for three hours

Sarki also said the 15 women abducted were made to carry the foodstuff looted from the communities, stating they promised to release them later.

But as at the time of speaking with the District Head, he said that the women were yet to be released.

The District Head further disclosed while the operation lasted, an helicopter was hovering around the communities, which left immediately the bandits were done.

“We saw a helicopter moving around the communities when the bandits were operating but the helicopter did not attack the bandits.

“We did not know what the helicopter was doing in the air because bandits were operating freely on the ground.

“Immediately the bandits left, we did not see the helicopter again, so we don’t know whether it was providing cover for the bandit or to attack the bandits,” he stated.

Nation