Suspected bandits numbering over 60 on Wednesday raided Madaka and neighbouring communities in Rafi local government area of Niger state.
The bandits according to eyewitnesses, stormed the communities on Motorcycles at around 6:30am, shooting sporadically into the air, causing the locals to run for their lives in an operation that lasted several hours.
Scores of villagers mostly middle aged men were kidnapped and used as shields by the bandits, who reportedly headed towards Shiroro local government area. Also not fewer than 100 herds of cattle were taken along by the bandits.
A local source told newsmen that the Nigerian Air Force responded to distress calls by the villagers as Air Force helicopters were deployed to search for the fleeing bandits.
