Gunmen kill district head, Police Inspector, 33 others in Niger state

No fewer than 35 people including the District head of Allawa, his brother and a Police Inspector were killed in a midnight raid in Shiroro local government area of Niger state by unknown Gunmen on Tuesday.
Dangerous weapons including machine guns were freely used by the invaders.
Unconfirmed sources said the Gunmen could either be Fulani herdsmen who had been terrorissing the area in the past while another source said they could be members of the dreaded Boko Haram who escaped from the Sambisa forest after a fierce battle with the Military recently.
Our correspondent also gathered that besides the loss of lives, many houses were also set on fire with scores of people mostly women and kids injured.
With the development, many families within the villages in the affected Local government have now been left homeless.
The fierce battle it was gathered lasted for about 2 hours.
The Military in the area had in the past few months been having a running battle with the Fulani Castle Rustlers in the area.
Just three weeks ago, the Military posted to the area arrested some cattle Rustlers with no fewer than 184 cows and 83 Sheep and were handed over to Chairman of Munyan Local government area, Alhaji Abdulkadir Mohammed Bida for further investigation and possible prosecution.
Contacted, Niger state Police Public Relations Officer ASP Bala Elikana confirmed the incident but could not ascertain the exact number those killed but confirmed the death of a Police officer.
He said the Police had stepped into the matter to unravel the cause and those who lost their lives.
He said already, the state Commissioner of Police, Alhaji Abubakar Marafa has directed the Area Commander in Minna and Divisional Police Officer in Kagara to visit the communities affected for more investigations and to know further steps to be taken.