A vigilante, identified as Saidu Ndako, has been shot dead during a fierce gun battle with kidnappers at Munamaya village in Gurdi ward of Abaji Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Two other people sustained injuries during the shootout.
One of the vigilantes, identified as Suleiman, who was part of the operation, said the incident happened on Tuesday around 4:37pm at Munamaya forest, which he said, borders the FCT and Mayaki village in Gulu area of Niger State.
He said the kidnappers, wielding sophisticated weapons, invaded a Fulani settlement at Munamaya village under Abaji and rustled cows.
He said the vigilantes were alerted by some Fulani leaders in neighbouring Rafin Daji community and they mobilized with some other vigilantes in Gulu in Niger State to engage the kidnappers.
He said some of the vigilantes who rode on bikes tracked down the kidnappers at Munamaya forest, where they exchanged gunfire.
He said, “The kidnappers actually came through Mayaki forest, which is under Gulu in Niger State and attacked the Fulani settlement in Munamaya village and rustled some cows.
‘’It was in the process that the vigilantes mobilised to track them, leading to a gun duel. One of our members died during the gun duel.’’
He said the vigilante member died while being taken to hospital in neighbouring Gulu town, adding that two other members who sustained injuries are responding to treatment.
According to him, the vigilantes succeeded in retrieving some of the cows, as the kidnappers escaped with a few of the cows and some sheep.
A Fulani leader from Munamaya village, Samaila Shehu, confirmed the incident which he said happened on Tuesday, after some kidnappers crossed from Niger forest to attack herders in the community.
He said, “The herders were migrating from Lapai due to the incessant attacks there but the kidnappers still trailed and attacked them at Munamaya village. But with the gallant efforts of the vigilantes, both in the community and those from Gulu, they succeeded in retrieving some cows, even though one of the vigilantes lost his life.”
The Spokesperson of the FCT Police command, SP Josephine Adeh, could not be reached on phone for comment on the incident.
@Daily Trust
