Protesters in Nigeria’s north-central Niger state are currently demonstrating along the Abuja-Suleja-Kaduna expressway over incessant attacks by armed men in the state, with no less than 25 people reportedly kidnapped in Suleja during Monday morning’s raid.
Suleja is less than an hour’s drive from the heart of the West African country’s capital.
Reports suggest that the heavily armed gunmen invaded the town and the immediate villages around 7:30 am.
The incident which occurred in Suleja is less than 10 minutes away from the nation’s federal territory and 43km away from the three arms zone where the Presidential Villa, the National Assembly and the Supreme Court are situated.
Niger State Governor Abubakar Bello has in recent weeks warned of an invasion of “Boko Haram elements” in the state he governs.
The terrorists hoisted their flag after taking over a number of villages, Bello said. They intended to use the area as a base, just like Sambisa Forest in the Northeast of the country, regarded as a Boko Haram stronghold.
The rising cases of insecurity in northern Nigeria had forced states including Yobe, Kano, Niger and Zamfara to close down schools.
Nigerians have also taken to Twitter to express fear and displeasure over the rise in insecurity across the country and its closeness to the country’s seat of power.
By Abel Ejikeme
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