Six members of a local vigilante group lost their lives in an ambush by suspected bandits in Matankari Forest, Kebbi State, after pursuing the criminals without official security support.
According to a report from counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the vigilantes had been tracking the bandits in response to a cattle rustling incident in Dan Tulu and Rusakde villages, located in the Arewa Local Government Area.
“The bandits, numbering several, had attacked the communities on February 27, 2025, at about 15:30 hours, riding on about seven motorcycles and making away with an unspecified number of cattle before escaping into Sokoto Forest.
“In response, members of the vigilante group from Dantulu mobilized and embarked on a self-organized operation to recover the stolen cattle. However, in the early hours of February 28, 2025, they fell into an ambush staged by the bandits, who opened heavy fire on them, killing all six on the spot,” the report said.
Following the attack, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, working alongside the police and additional vigilante members, launched a search mission in Matankari Forest. By 14:30 hours, the team successfully recovered the bodies of the slain vigilantes.
The victims were identified as Lawal Dansida, 60, Umaru Dangoje, 70, Gali Umaru, 35, Yakubu Maigeri, 53, Hakilu Yusuf, 47, and Lshiaka Liman, 60.
In response to the incident, security forces have ramped up patrols across the affected areas to prevent further attacks and reassure residents of ongoing efforts to restore peace.
Authorities have also cautioned against vigilante operations conducted without coordination with security agencies, emphasizing the importance of structured responses to combat banditry effectively.
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