By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
A photo on the social media showing the bandits who abducted a busload of passengers bearing Rocket Propel Grenades (RPG) has unsettled many Nigerians.
The passengers, at least 30 travellers were abducted Sunday evening by gunmen who ambushed commuters along the Tegina-Zungeru highway in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.
Officials of the drivers union in the area said the victims were travelling in a bus of the Niger State Transport Authority (NSTA) when they ran into an ambush by the bandits.
The gunmen also killed three members of the local vigilante group which attempted to foil their operation.
On Wednesday, February 17, the bandits released a video and photo of their captives while flaunting assorted weapons, including an RPG, an assault weapon with a high capacity impact.
For many Nigerians, the bandits are no longer a band of criminals, but terrorists who pose an existential threat to Nigeria.
A social media influencer, Japhet Omojuwa tweeted after seeing the bandits with an RPG, said there is an urgent need to #SecureNigerState.
“Gunmen with RPGs clearly shows a state of war. More kidnappings of school children mean more money for this lot. The FG and State Governments need to do more on national security. We aren’t safe and we all know it!” he said.
@Wasppaping also tweeted: “What’s happening in Nigeria state is beyond embarrassing. Human beings getting abducted like chickens and not one person in this incompetent government is doing something about it. It’s beyond embarrassing #SecureNigerState.”
@Al_ameen_Yabo also tweeted: “Bandits with RPG are not bandits anymore. They are terrorists, terrorizing towns and schools of their choices, everyone living in pandogari, Me kujeri, zangeru, kagara, tagina, makera is touched directly or indirectly by these terrorists. We are begging the government to #SecureNigerState.”
@el_uthman also said: “The North has been silent all these while because of their undying loyalty to the government in the face of its failure. The president, governors and all leaders need to deliver security to the north. That’s the least they can do. Enough of the killings and kidnappings. #SecureNigerState.”
