Two members of a local vigilante group have been confirmed dead, while two others sustained varying degrees of injury following an explosion believed to have been caused by an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) along the Damaturu–Buni Yadi Road, near Madiya village in Yobe State.
The victims, who died after the IED, suspected to have been planted by ISWAP insurgent, detonated in Gujba Local Government Area, were identified as 35-year-old Kinnafi Modu and 27-year-old Mamman Kasaisa.
Both men were reportedly on community patrol duties when they were caught in the blast, which is believed to have been intended to target both security operatives and civilians.
A vigilante member, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the two others injured in the blast are currently receiving treatment at a General Hospital in Damaturu, where they were rushed shortly after the incident.
According to the source, the explosion has further heightened fears among residents, who rely heavily on vigilantes to complement the efforts of security agencies in the fight against insurgency.
“We are deeply saddened by the loss of our colleagues. They died serving their community and protecting lives,” the vigilante member told The Guild.
Operatives of the Yobe State Police Command, who visited the scene, confirmed that normalcy has since been restored. They also disclosed that security patrols have been intensified in the area.
