Bandits Burn Niger Primary School After Collecting N10m Levy From Communities

Bandits have set ablaze a primary school in Dekara town, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State, despite allegedly collecting a N10 million levy from communities in the area.

Residents told Daily Trust that the attackers burnt down Central Primary School, Dekara, during an attack on the town on Wednesday.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the bandits emerged from the Kainji Lake National Park and invaded the community.

According to the resident, communities in Dekara District recently raised and paid N10 million demanded by the bandits after they threatened to attack if the levy was not paid. The payment was made following assurances from the bandits that residents would be allowed to remain without further attacks.

“The bandits imposed a N10 million levy on communities in the district. The money was paid because they threatened to attack us if we failed to comply,” the resident said.

“But despite receiving the money, they still attacked the district headquarters and burnt down the primary school.”

Premium Times reported that residents told the newspaper the attackers set ablaze the Central Primary School, Dekara. In a related development, bandits launched fresh attacks on Dnakau, Lanta and Unguwan Kawo communities in Shiroro Local Government Area, where one person was killed and another kidnapped.

The Niger State Police Command spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, neither answered phone calls nor responded to a text message as of the time of filing the report.

Sources: Daily Trust, Premium Times