Three vigilantes from Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State have reportedly been killed by suspected bandits while returning from Agwara in neighbouring Niger State.
The victims were identified by local sources as Abubakar Mai Nera, the vigilante commander in Saminaka, Tanko Sarki and Amadu Saminaka.
The three men were reportedly from Saminaka and Bakinturu communities in Shanga LGA.
They were said to have been attacked while on their way back from Agwara, although details surrounding the incident, including the circumstances of the attack and the identities of the suspected attackers, remained unclear at the time of filing this report.
According to the sources, the vigilantes were attacked around Kasabo, Binuwa and Mago communities, across the River Kwara, along the Kebbi-Niger border.
A local source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, alleged that the attackers set the victims ablaze after killing them.
“The three vigilantes were attacked while returning from Agwara in Niger State. They were ambushed around Kasabo, Binuwa and Mago, across the River Kwara.
“Their attackers reportedly set them ablaze after the attack. As we speak, their bodies have not been recovered,” the source said.
Another resident said search teams and members of the affected communities were still making efforts to locate the bodies.
“The incident happened on Friday, and the search is still ongoing. We are hoping that the bodies will be found so that the families can give them a proper burial,” he said.
The incident has heightened concern among residents of communities along the Kebbi-Niger border, where attacks by armed groups have continued to pose security challenges.
When contacted, the Kebbi State Police Command said it was unaware of the incident.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said he could not confirm the report, noting that the alleged incident occurred in Niger State.
“I cannot confirm the incident for now as I am not aware of it, and it happened in Niger State.
“However, the vigilantes are from this state, based on the information you have given me,” he said.
The identities of the attackers and the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths could not be independently verified as of press time.
