In the Maitumbi area of Minna, the state capital, suspected hoodlums in Niger State have reportedly invaded shops, killed and injured some residents.
A source said the violence started on Friday and continued for the next two days, forcing a reign of terror in the area.
A tricylist identified as Ifeanyi Nwosu, explained how he narrowly escaped death when he was attacked by some hoodlums while carrying some passengers.
“As I was riding my tricycle through the Maitumbi area, I had three passengers when about four of the hoodlums attacked us. They were brandishing their knives and daggers, threatening to use them on us. They collected all the mobile phones of the passengers.
“What saved me was that I was swinging the tricycle, preventing the hoodlums from overpowering me. One of them even used his dagger to try to stab me, but in the process, he destroyed the tricycle’s windscreen. I only managed to escape from them. I would have been a dead man by now,” he narrated.
Another source, identified as Musa Mohammed, narrated how the hoodlums who were said to be acting under the influence of dangerous drugs beheaded a middle-aged man and his young son, who they caught at the centre of the fight.
As claimed by Mohammed Musa, the police operatives who were called to apprehend the hoodlums were also attacked.
“Before my very eyes, the hoodlums beheaded a middle-aged man and his young son. They also attacked police officer who came to quell the crisis.
“They even vandalised their vehicle, but the policemen fired teargas at the hoodlums to disperse them, but they refused to calm down,” he added.
Wakadaily gathered that various residents of the Maitumbi area could not go home on the night of the incident as they had to seek for alternative places to sleep due to fear of the attacks.
This hoodlums allegedly broke into peoples shops, looting wares and attacking those who fails to comply with them.
It was said that about eight residents were killed while many others were injured in the rampage.
This attack was confirmed to newsmen by Wasiu Abiodun, the spokesman for the Niger State Police Command, but the number of victims killed is yet to be revealed.
“There were street fights, but the men of the state command were able to bring the situation under control. Five ring leaders of the fight were arrested,” he said.
