Bandits ambush Niger vigilantes, kill 17, lose three members

No fewer than 17 vigilantes in the Dukku town of the Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State were, on Wednesday , ambushed and killed by bandits .

The community vigilantes, however , killed three of the bandits too .

Disturbed by the incessant attacks by bandits , Dukku community mobilised to take the battle to the hoodlums who were said to be camping in the Iri forests in the area .

According to eyewitnesses , the plan to attack the bandits leaked , resulting in the bandits ambushing the vigilantes and killing 17 of them .

When contacted on the telephone , the Chairman of the Rijau Local Government Area, Bawa Bello , confirmed the incident .

He said , “ 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 . ”

The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs , Abdulmalik Sarkindaji, could not be reached to comment on the on the details of the attack .

Also , the Niger State Police Command had not confirmed the incident as of the time of filing this report .

Meanwhile , facts emerged on Thursday that five persons , including a woman and a policeman, were killed , while 12 other people were abducted in Wednesday night’ s attack on Kagara town .