Bandits issue vacation notice to estate residents in Minna

Residents of M.I Wushishi Estate in Minna, the capital of Niger State, are gripped by fear after receiving an ultimatum from suspected bandits, believed to be illegal miners.

The bandits have warned residents to vacate the estate or face death, following a recent violent attack.

The attack, which occurred while many male residents were away at work, saw the bandits vandalizing cars and shattering windows of several homes. The threats are reportedly a retaliation against residents who had alerted the local police to the illegal mining activities in the area.

A resident, speaking anonymously on Monday, shared that the community is living in fear as they grapple with the dangers posed by these criminal elements.

“Hoodlums we suspect are miners in the neighborhood have asked all the residents of M.I Wushishi Housing Estate in Minna, the Niger State Capital, to vacate their homes or get killed,” the resident said. “These guys invaded the community in broad daylight, breaking window glasses. Several cars were also damaged.”

The resident further explained that the attack seemed to be a retaliatory response after the illegal miners were reported to the authorities. “These guys told us that they were coming for us, and they came. They came after most men had gone to work. Many top civil servants, including directors and permanent secretaries, live in the estate.

I know of many people who have moved out of the estate this evening for fear of the attacks,” the resident added.

He also lamented the growing insecurity in the state, noting, “Nowhere is safe in the state. If bandits and terrorists are not chasing people from their homes, it is hoodlums and miners. Where is the government for the sake of Allah?”

When contacted on Tuesday, the Niger State Police Command spokesperson, Wasiu Abiodun, confirmed the incident but assured that the situation had been brought under control. He detailed the police response to the distress call, stating, “On 02/09/2024 at about 1400hrs, a distress call was received that suspected illegal miners, miscreants/thugs engaged in a fight and were attacking houses at M.I Wushishi Estate, Minna.”

Abiodun further reported that the police patrol teams, led by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Maitumbi, responded promptly and dispersed the miscreants.

Unfortunately, one person, whose identity is yet to be confirmed, was killed by the hoodlums during the confrontation. The deceased was taken to the general hospital morgue.

“Normalcy has been restored, and an investigation is ongoing to arrest the assailants. Patrol teams have been positioned in the area to prevent a recurrence,” Abiodun concluded.

The attack underscores the growing insecurity in Niger State, where residents continue to grapple with threats from various criminal elements.