Tragedy has struck in the Dogon-Dawa community in the Mariga Local Government Area (LGA) of Niger State as terrorists have killed 30 members of a local security outfit called Yan Sa Kai in the area.
Some casualties were also said to have been recorded on the side of the terrorits but the exact numbers are yet to be ascertained.
Sources confirmed that the local vigilantes met their untimely deaths as they were trailing the terrorists to their hideout on hearing of their presence in the area.
Unknown to the vigilantes, the terrorists ambushed them and rained bullets on them as they were approaching their hideout, leading to a high number of casualties.
The incident occurred on Saturday morning.
A reliable source from the area who confirmed the incident said some of the gunmen were also killed but could not state the exact number.
“Some of our local vigilantes were killed. From what we have calculated and seen, they are up to thirty. Some of the bandits were also gunned down by our men and many others escaped with bullet wounds but we cannot say specifically the numbers.
“With this development, our people who are predominantly farmers and who are preparing for the planting season are currently fleeing the area to avoid a reprisal by the gunmen,” he remarked.
Chairman, Mariga LGA, Abbas Kasuwar Garba, confirmed the incident to Journalists, saying: “This incident calls for serious concern especially now that our people who are predominantly farmers are preparing to go back to their farms in readiness for the planting season.”
He called for quick intervention from the government in order to avoid a reoccurrence.
At the time of filing the report, efforts to get the response of the Niger state government and police command Public Relations Officer PPRO, SP Wasiu Abiodun proved abortive.
@Vanguard
