Two vigilantes were killed, and five others abducted by gunmen suspected to be bandits during separate attacks in Bauchi and Niger states.
The vigilantes died from gunshot wounds sustained during a confrontation with heavily armed men who had invaded the Kainji National Park forest in Niger State.
As gathered, the bandits fled the scene immediately after the attacks, leaving the victims in a pool of blood.
One of the deceased vigilantes has been identified as Abdullahi Awala, while the identity of the other remains unconfirmed at the time of this report.
According to a police source, the vigilantes were killed while attempting to dislodge armed groups operating within forest corridors.
“The vigilantes confronted the bandits in a fierce exchange of gunfire. Unfortunately, two were fatally wounded and later confirmed dead,” the source stated.
Intelligence reports suggest that some of the fleeing bandits may have been injured during the gunfire exchange.
“Tracking operations are ongoing to apprehend them,” another police source added, noting that calm was gradually returning as patrols intensified.
Meanwhile, the abduction occurred in the early hours of February 11, around 2:30 a.m., in Unguwan Nasarawa, Mansur axis of Alkaleri Local Government Area, Bauchi State.
The five victims, members of the same household, included one man and four women, all reportedly taken from the same residence.
According to reports, the gunmen stormed the compound, firing sporadically to instill fear before abducting the victims.
“The gunmen forced their way into the house and whisked away the occupants before security forces could respond,” said a source familiar with the rescue efforts.
A joint task force comprising the military, anti-kidnapping units, and local security outfits has launched a coordinated search-and-rescue operation to free the captives and apprehend the perpetrators.
Security agencies in both states have pledged to continue operations aimed at dismantling criminal networks and preventing further attacks, assuring residents that updates will be provided as investigations and rescue efforts progress.
