Bandits storm Niger community, kill student, two DSS officers

Zakariyau Bassa, a senior secondary school student in his mid-20s, was fatally shot by bandits during an attack on his community in Bassa, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State, early Wednesday morning.

The attack resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries.

A close ally of Zakariyau told News360 Nigeria: “Zakariyau was in his room when he heard the sound of gunshot in the frontage of his room and he was attempting to escape when the gunmen shot him in the hand and chest.”

In addition to Zakariyau’s death, the source said at least one other civilian was killed and three others injured.

The bandits also targeted officers of the Department of State Services (DSS), killing two officers and injuring two others.

The attack prompted a response from security forces, who reportedly killed 20 of the assailants during the clash. The community is reeling from the violence, with calls for heightened security measures to prevent further loss of life.

The source said, “Zakariyau was shot and killed by bandits when they attacked our community on Wednesday around 5 am.
“Zakariyau is a senior secondary school student and he was about 20 years old.

“Zakariyau was in his room when he heard the sound of gunshot in the frontage of his room and he was attempting to escape when the gunmen shot him on his hand and chest.”

Meanwhile, News360 on Wednesday night reported that at least two residents of Bassa community in the Shiroro Local Government Area in Niger State were killed by a group of terrorists who invaded their community on Wednesday morning.

A community source who confirmed this incident to News360 identified one of the deceased persons as Zakari, adding that three other residents were critically injured by the bandits.

The source added that the bandits also killed two DSS personnel and injured two others during the attack that started around 5 am on Wednesday.

According to a community source, the Nigerian military later intervened, overpowering the bandits and eliminating at least 20 of their members, thereby ending the siege.

This was also confirmed by a counter-insurgency expert in the Lake Chad region, Zagazola Makama in his recent report.