21 Bandits Killed By Villagers And Security

At least 21 suspected bandits have been murdered by security forces working with vigilantes and residents in Kebbi’s Danko Wasagu Local Government Area.

The incident was corroborated by the Council Chairman, Alhaji Hussani Aliyu-Bena, who revealed that Danko Wasagu shares a border with the Mariga Local Government Area of Niger State, via which the 21 bandits gain entrance to Kebbi State.

According to him, the event occurred from Monday to Wednesday, and the bandits entered Tudun Bichi under Wasagu through Mariga, but credible intelligence kept security services, vigilante organizations, and villagers on alert, resulting in a successful ambush.

He said that villagers, along with vigilantes, killed 17 suspected bandits and collected rifles, ammunition, and motorcycles, while killing two locals.

According to Aliyu-Bena, the bandits also went to the hamlet of Tangaran and kidnapped nine farmers who were tending to their farms there. However, all of them were eventually freed thanks to the combined efforts of security forces, vigilantes, and villagers at the village of Lugga in the Ayu District.

The chairman stated that keeping a close eye on the bandits’ movements culminated in another encounter at Bakin Gulbi hamlet, where the united team killed four bandits, recovered weapons, and rescued three kidnapped people, assuring that the outlaws’ movements were being followed for further action.

He did, however, express regret that the robbers also killed Marafan Mai Inuwa hamlet in Kanya District and kidnapped several people, although the victims were eventually rescued by the army when the bandits were killed.

He praised the courage of the combined forces of security agents, vigilantes, and villagers in dealing with the bandits while advocating for the deployment of more military soldiers to Malekachi and Dnkade, two areas that have remained transit routes for the bandits.

He stated that, in accordance with the State Governor’s directions, council members visited Kanya District, where all displaced residents from the neighbouring villages assembled, commiserated with them, and presented a message (token) from the governor.