In a disturbing twist of events, armed bandits have reportedly set fire to the Central Primary School in Dekara town, located within the Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State. What makes the attack particularly devastating is that it occurred just after local communities had raised and paid a staggering ₦10 million "protection levy" demanded by the criminals.

According to residents who spoke with Daily Trust, the attackers invaded the community on Wednesday after emerging from the nearby Kainji Lake National Park.

A Betrayal of Terms

A local resident, speaking on the condition of anonymity, revealed that villages across the Dekara District had pooled resources to pay the hefty sum after receiving explicit threats of violence from the gang.

“The bandits imposed a ₦10 million levy on communities in the district. The money was paid because they threatened to attack us if we failed to comply. But despite receiving the money, they still attacked the district headquarters and burnt down the primary school.”

Separate Raids Hit Shiroro LGA

The violence was not contained to Borgu. In a related development, bandits also launched coordinated raids on the Dnakau, Lanta, and Unguwan Kawo communities in the Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

Local sources confirmed that the attacks resulted in one fatality and an abduction. The abducted victim has been identified as Moses Joseph of Unguwan Kawo, while another resident, identified simply as Emma from the Bagna community, was shot during the raid.

"No Second Chance to Live" — Kaduna Governor Demands Hardline Stance

As insecurity continues to plague parts of the region, Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has called for an uncompromising military approach against the perpetrators.

Speaking Wednesday during an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today programme, Governor Sani stated unequivocally that armed bandits responsible for the ongoing killings and kidnappings across Nigeria should not be given another chance to live.

Classifying the criminals strictly as terrorists, the governor decried the relentless destruction of communities and the traumatizing abduction of innocent civilians, including women and children.