Gun-wielding bandits have reportedly attacked and killed residents across communities in Niger.

The attack occurred barely 24 hours after terrorists abducted students and staff of Government Science College, Kagara in the Rafi Local Government Area.

The brigands’ latest attacks occurred on Thursday morning in Gurmana ward in Shiroro LGA. The assailants also attacked Sarkin Zama, Bakin Kogi (Lagbe), Siyiko, amongst other communities, Daily Trust reported.

The Abuja-based daily said the attackers operated for several hours without any resistance from security agencies, killing scores of residents overnight.

Daily Trust reported a youth leader, Sani Abubakar, as saying that bandits launched a series of attacks in the Shiroro area.

“Countless deadly attacks have become daily occurrences, thereby compelling the affected victims to live at the mercy of hydra-headed monsters. Defenceless, unarmed, and peaceful locals have been abandoned to their fate,” he was quoted as saying by the newspaper.

The police command spokesperson in Niger did not return multiple calls and messages from Peoples Gazette over the attack. 

Governor Sani Bello said on Wednesday evening that efforts were underway to rescue students abducted by suspected bandits Wednesday, lamenting the development as serious enough for a declaration of emergency over insecurity by President Muhammadu Buhari.