Pandemonium ensued on Sunday when an army officer and three soldiers were killed by bandits in Gwarm village, Munya Local Government Area of Niger State.

According to reports from the area, the soldiers, who were on routine patrol, ran into an ambush by the bandits, which led to their death.

It was gathered that the bandits invaded villages around Sarkin Pawa and started shooting indiscriminately. In the process the soldiers and some civilians were killed.

A witness, who declined to be identified, said, “The bandits came on motorcycles and all of them had AK-47 rifles.”

The remains of the slain soldiers were initially brought to Sarkinpawa Police Station before they were taken away.

When contacted, Chairman, Munya Local Government, Mr Garba Mohammed, confirmed the incident.

Mohammed, who spoke on the phone said policemen had been deployed in the troubled community to restore law and order.

He said the raid by the bandits lasted about an hour, adding that the rescue team returned to base with bullet holes on their armoured vehicle, the glasses of which were shattered.

He said, “As I speak with you now, they have killed four soldiers and three others were seriously injured. They have also burnt the Hilux van of the soldiers.

“Bodies of the soldiers have been brought to the Sarkin Pawa Police Station.”

The police could not be reached as of the time of filing this report.

Punch