Six Security Operatives Killed By Bandits
Intelligence sources said that the vigilantes had been tracking the bandits following a cattle rustling incident in Dan Tulu and Rusakde villages, Arewa Local Government Area.
Suspected bandits have ambushed and killed six members of a local vigilante group in Matankari Forest, Kebbi State, after they attempted to recover stolen cattle.
Intelligence sources said that the vigilantes had been tracking the bandits following a cattle rustling incident in Dan Tulu and Rusakde villages, Arewa Local Government Area.
The attackers, numbering several gunmen, stormed the communities on 27 February 2025 at about 15:30 hours.
They arrived on approximately seven motorcycles, took an unspecified number of cattle, and escaped into the Sokoto Forest.
In response, vigilantes from Dantulu mobilised and embarked on a self-organised operation to recover the stolen cattle.
However, in the early hours of 28 February 2025, they fell into an ambush by the bandits, who opened heavy fire and killed all six of them on the spot.
Upon receiving intelligence on the attack, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the police and additional vigilante members, launched a search operation in Matankari Forest.
By 14:30 hours, the team successfully recovered the bodies of the slain vigilantes.
The deceased have been identified as Lawal Dansida, 60; Umaru Dangoje, 70; Gali Umaru, 35; Yakubu Maigeri, 53; Hakilu Yusuf, 47; and Lshiaka Liman, 60.
Meanwhile, security forces have intensified patrols in the affected communities to prevent further attacks, assuring residents of their commitment to restoring peace.
Authorities have also warned against independent vigilante actions without proper coordination with security agencies, stressing the need for organised responses to banditry threats.
SaharaReporters has reported how Umar Namashaya Diggi, former Chairman of Kalgo Local Government Area in Kebbi State, went missing after being attacked by unidentified assailants along the Birnin Kebbi-Diggi Road.
According to multiple security sources, the incident happened on 17 February at about 12:30am while Diggi was on his way to his village from Birnin Kebbi.
The former chairman was reportedly chased by an unknown vehicle upon reaching Gayi village.
“The assailants forced him to stop, set his Toyota Corolla with registration number KLG 637 AA ablaze, and fled the scene. His whereabouts remain unknown,” a police source disclosed.
