Residents mistake soldiers for herdsmen; Read the horrible thing that happened after
– Military personnel invaded a village in Niger state
– The soldiers went to intercept weapons that were reportedly being stockpiled
– The villagers attacked thinking they were invaded by herdsmen
A military operation in Kpaidma village in Bosso local government area of Niger has turned sour leading to the death of five persons and the destruction of four vehicles.
Vanguard reports that a joint military team of the army and air force had invaded the community in a surprised search for arms and ammunition around 1 am on Thursday, August 5.
READ ALSO: Women go angry in Kaduna, protest attacks by herdsmen
The army had acted following a tip-off that weapons were being stockpiled in the village but as soon as the operation started, villagers who were unaware of the true operation thought they were being invaded by herdsmen and launched an attack in self-defence.
Bala Elkana who is the spokesperson of the state police command confirmed the operation.
“we actually received a distress call around 1a.m. that armed herdsmen had invaded a village.
“The command immediately sent mobile policemen and other combatants to the village, only to discover that it was a military operation. But I am not aware of any death.”
He said two persons were injured and were recuperating, while four vehicles belonging to the Army were destroyed.
He explained that due to the activities of herdsmen, the villagers were on high alert. When the military operation started, they mistook it for a herdsmen invasion and launched a counter attack.
He said that the situation had now been brought under control with armed policemen keeping vigil in the area to allay the fear of the residents of the village and its suburbs.
READ ALSO: Herdsmen kill 26 in Kaduna, Adamawa states
Major Njideka Agwu who is the director of information of the army said they were informed that “arms and ammunition were being stockpiled in the village and we went for a search immediately for verification and clarification.
“Unfortunately, the villagers opened fire on us and we do not know the number of causalities for now. But fielders and troops are still at the location and investigations are still going on.”
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