Armed bandits have dismembered bodies of more than 20 vigilantes killed during attack at Kotonkoro in Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State.
Read Also: I Handed Over $15.8m To Suswam At His Maitama Residence, Insists Witness
According to BBC Hausa, the attack, occurred on Monday after the vigilantes engaged a group of bandits in the area.
“On Monday, there was a clash between vigilantes and bandits and they pursued them to a nearby bush to fight them. Unfortunately, the vigilantes were killed and the bandits refused to allow the community to retrieve the bodies.
Read Also: 2023: Tinubu Losing Political Value Due To South-West Govs’ Policy On Herdsmen – Miyetti Allah
“I can’t say the actual number of people killed because they refused to grant access to pick the bodies, but today (Wednesday), soldiers went to the forest to collect bodies of 16 persons. But that’s not all of them because there are still more people they couldn’t identify as their bodies were dismembered”, Ibrahim Ilyasu, a member of state house of assembly from Mariga was quoted as saying.
The lawmaker stated that four bodies had earlier been recovered.
Asked how the attack happened despite the vigilantes working hand-in-hand with other security agencies, he added:
Read Also: FG To Spend N8.1bn On Rehabilitation Of Federal Secretariat
“I can’t explain it too since I was not there, but this happened. Those living in the community can testify because the bandits chased those who earlier went for the bodies back, they (bandits) almost entered Kotonkoro.
“There has been respite in bandit activities in the state and we are surprised by the new wave of attacks. They’re coming through the border with Kebbi State as it also borders Zamfara.
Read Also: Tinubu Donated N50m To Katsina Traders, Neglected Lagos, Oyo Market Victims – Omokri
“The way out is to intensify prayers as the situation is befuddling as they don’t understand why the community is being targeted. The vigilantes are trying their best together with the soldiers stationed in the community because sometimes, they do overpower the bandits.”
The state governor, Abubakar Bello, had about two weeks ago promised to arm vigilante groups in Niger with pump-action guns, to enable them confront bandits and address other security threats.
