Bandits have attacked over 10 communities in Niger State, killed eight persons, abducted a bride and left several others injured.

Punch reports that the gunmen, who were said to have numbered over 100, invaded the communities in the Lavun Local Government Area of the state.

According to a resident of the Ndakogitu community, who spoke on condition of anonymity, the bandits also attacked a wedding ceremony, where they abducted the bride and another girl.

The resident was quoted to have said: “They (gunmen) came into our community and went to the venue of a wedding; they stole all the money realised at the ceremony and other valuables.

“The rampaging gunmen also rustled a number of cattle belonging to the villagers.”

Punch reports further that the attack, which lasted all through Saturday night and Sunday morning, displaced over 5,000 persons.

Another source, who spoke to Punch, said the terrorists went to different communities and shot at residents, who were scampering for safety.

It was gathered that after the attack, the terrorists were unable to escape with the rustled cattle as the only bridge linking the community with Akare had collapsed, leaving them with no option but to abandon the animals and escape.

The vigilantes in the communities, however, mobilised themselves and confronted the bandits, who eventually killed six of the locals as a result of them being ill-equipped.