- Vigilante group kills 3 bandits in counter-attack
About 17 vigilantes assisting the military and other security agencies in peace enforcement operations in Dukku town of Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State, Northcentral region of Nigeria were on Wednesday evening ambushed and killed by bandits.
However, the vigilante, during the firefight, also killed three of the bandits.
The attacks occurred as the Dukku community, irked by incessant attacks by the bandits, mobilised to take the battle to the bandits who were said to be operating from the Iri forest.
But the plan to attack the bandits leaked, resulting in the bandits ambushing the vigilante group in the forest, killing 17 of them.
Chairman of Rijau Local Government Area, Bawa Bello, confirmed the incident, saying, “Yes, it happened, we killed some of the bandits and the bandits killed some of our men. I have submitted a written report to the Commissioner for Local Government who is our boss. He should give you the details.”
Meanwhile, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello of Niger State has appealed to the people of the state “to remain calm as government is on top of the security situation”.
In a message of condolence to Dukku community, Governor Bello maintained that “no responsible government will fold its arms and allow law-abiding and innocent citizens to be mauled down.”
He commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the attack and prayed for a speedy recovery for the injured victims.