Kebbi State, Nigeria — Three vigilantes from Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State have reportedly been killed by suspected bandits while returning from Agwara in 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 the Saminaka and Bakinturu communities in Shanga LGA.
According to local sources, the vigilantes were ambushed around the 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.
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“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 members of the affected communities and search teams were still making efforts to locate the bodies.
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“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,” the resident said.
The reported incident has heightened concerns among residents of communities along the Kebbi-Niger border, where attacks by armed groups have continued to pose security challenges.
However, the incident has not been independently confirmed.
When contacted, the Kebbi State Police Command said it was unaware of the report.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bashir Usman, said he could not confirm the incident, noting that the reported attack 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.
As of press time, the identities of the alleged attackers and the circumstances surrounding the reported deaths could not be independently verified.
Efforts by local residents to locate the reported victims were said to be continuing.
