A group of bandits have set ablaze a primary school in Niger state despite collecting a N10 million levy from communities and promising not to attack the community members.
The terrorists were said to have made way into the facility and destroyed the school despite earlier assurances that no harm would come to the affected communities once the demanded payment had been made.
The attack on Central Primary School in Dekara, Borgu local government on Wednesday led to community sources on Friday, stating that the armed men had imposed the levy on several villages and threatened to launch attacks if residents failed to comply.
Fearing reprisals, the communities reportedly mobilised funds and paid the amount demanded, but were shocked when the attackers returned and targeted the district headquarters despite receiving the money.
Meanwhile, efforts to obtain an official response from the Niger State Police Command were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Wasiu Abiodun, did not answer calls or respond to a text message seeking comment on the incidents.