Tragedy struck in Niger community as no fewer than four vigilante members were reportedly killed by bandits at Tashan Kare village in Kagara, Rafi Local Government Area.
WITHIN NIGERIA learnt that the brutal attack happened around 7 am on Monday, October 12 when the bandits blocked Pandogari road.
An undisclosed source who spoke with newsmen said calls made to the police went unanswered, leaving the vigilantes to confront the bandits.
The source added that the battle ended with at least four of the vigilantes dead.
The vigilantes who were angered by the killing invaded the police divisional officer in Kagara with the corpses of their colleagues where a protest began.
The source further revealed that they mobbed the police station, burgled the armory and went away with their ammunition. They were angry that the police did not do anything concerning the attack or respond to calls for help , as they left only the vigilantes to battle with the bandits , which led to the death of some of their colleagues,”.
Speaking on the development, the police prosecutor Public Relations Officer in the state, Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the incident.
This confirmation was contained in a statement released by the command on Tuesday, October 13.
Abiodun said that members of vigilante from Tashan Kare village numbering over fifty reported at Kagara Division that armed bandits attacked their village on Monday and four of their members lost their lives while confronting the bandits.
According to the PPRO, some members of the vigilante became violent and attacked the police station while the DPO was addressing the vigilante members on the efforts made by the Police to flush out the bandits.
The PPRO also disclosed the interventions of the police in ensuring peace and restore of order in the community especially the said police station.
“On receipt of the information, the Commissioner of Police dispatched a reinforcement team led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and upon their arrival, normalcy has already been restored due to the prompt intervention of the Area Commander Kontagora, personnel of operation Puff Ader and conventional policemen attached to Kagara division to secure the division. In process one of the vigilante member attempted to snatch a rifle from the station guard, he was shot and sustained bullet wound.
The PPRO said normalcy has since been restored in the area while the Commissioner of Police enjoined the people of Niger State to be law abiding and go about their normal businesses.
“He equally warned that they should not take laws into their hands no matter the provocation as measures are being put in place to safeguard their lives and Properties. He further directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge Investigation to lunch a full scale investigation into the incident to unravel the root cause of the unfortunate incident and bring the perpetrators to book.
