By Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas
(Kaduna), The rural communities of Wayam and Belu-Belu in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State have been left reeling after a savage attack by armed bandits that claimed the lives of 10 farmers, including women and a Chinese national.
According to eyewitness accounts who spoke to Truth Nigeria, the assault occurred around 5 a.m. on Tuesday, November 5, during the early morning Muslim prayers. “Six of the victims were beheaded, with the attackers leaving with their heads,” according to Bankari Ndah.
This massacre is the latest in a series of deadly attacks that have plagued the region in recent times. In October, the Kukoki community was forced to pay a ransom of 1.5 million Naira (approximately $1,000) to the bandits just to be able to harvest their crops, only to be targeted again just days later.
The town of Kagara is the urban center of the county of Rafi and is situated on the highway that leads into neighboring Kaduna State. The Kaduna town of Birnin Gwari, about 30 miles north of Kagara is a known hub of bandit gangs and insurgencies seeking to overthrow the Nigerian government.
Dr. Natsu Abdulazeez, a security analyst based in Minna, the Niger State capital, believes the brutal beheadings were a deliberate attempt to instill fear among the local population. “The attackers wanted to send a strong message by decapitating their victims. This is a tactic used to terrorize the citizens and disrupt their livelihoods,” he said.
The Chinese national killed in the attack is suspected to have been a miner operating in the area, as Niger State has seen a spike in unauthorized mining activities in recent times. These illicit operations have only compounded the security challenges faced by local communities.
A resident of Wayam who does not want his name mentioned for fear of reprisal told TruthNigeria that many Chinese nationals in the area are doing illicit mining. “Chinese people are many here. They are into mining of minerals like gold and the rest.”
In August 2024, following the murder of 12 miners at a minefield in Shiroro Local Governance Area (county) of Niger state, the Nigerian government banned mining activity in the state and issued a strong warning to foreign nationals mining in the state to desist from funding banditry in the area.
Dele Alake, Minister of Solid Minerals Development, issued the warning in a statement by his media aide, Segun Tomori, in Abuja.
Alake blamed non-Nigerians involved in the mining business for funding massacres of people working close to illegal mining sites.
“Preliminary reports indicate that non-Nigerians are funding these operations. Anyone involved will be prosecuted for economic sabotage and waging war against Nigeria,” said the minister.
Mallam Sunku, a resident, recounted another harrowing incident just days before the Wayam and Belu-Belu attack. “On Friday, November 2nd, bandits invaded Zungeru in Wushishi Local Government, moving through homes and a hotel, kidnapping the occupants,” he said.
One of the victims, Saidu Yakubu, known as “Abacha,” and his wife are still missing, with no communication from the abductors.
The escalating violence has had a devastating impact on the local population, with many farmers unable to harvest even half of their crops due to the constant threat of attacks. Bala Tukur, another resident, lamented, “Everybody has fled. Many people have not been able to harvest 50 percent of their crops, including maize.”
In response to the incidents, the Niger State Government acknowledged the attacks and stated that all security stakeholders have been mobilized. However, the people of Rafi, Wushishi, Shiroro, Mariga, and Kontagora Local Government Areas continue to live in fear as the bandits’ reign of terror shows no signs of abating.
Dr. Abdulazeez stressed the urgent need for a comprehensive security strategy to address the crisis. “The government must act swiftly to protect the lives and livelihoods of these vulnerable communities. Failure to do so will only embolden the bandits and lead to further tragedy.”
When Truth Nigeria contacted Mr Wasiu Abiodun, the Niger State Police Public Relations Officer said, “I will need some time to confirm the report.”
As the harvest season continues, the people of Rafi County now face the agonizing choice between risking their lives to gather their crops or succumbing to the demands of the ruthless bandits who have turned their land into a killing field.
Segun Onibiyo and Steven Kefas are conflict reporters for Truth Nigeria
