In Bauchi State, gunmen have ambushed and killed nine members of a neighborhood watch organization known as Yan Ba Beli.
While they (the vigilantes) were looking for bandits who have been killing and kidnapping innocent people for ransom in Ningi Local Government Area of the State, the vigilantes were killed by gunmen whose identities and numbers are still unknown in the forest near Gamji village.
Nine members of the local vigilante group were reportedly slain while some others were injured to varying degrees after the gunmen ambushed and attacked them.
The incident occurred late Sunday, when vigilantes were climbing the rocks near Gamji village to look for bandits who were hiding in the forest with the intent to kill. The member of the local vigilante group who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that the bandits laid a well-coordinated ambush for them in the forest, which they fell into, adding that “as soon as they veered into the ambush, the bandits opened fire with superior weapons and overpowering fire.”
Ibrahim Mato, the interim chairman of the Ningi LGA, who confirmed the occurrence, denounced it and vowed that the government will keep up its efforts to safeguard the area’s innocent residents and property.
Meanwhile, sources learned that the nine bodies were found on Monday and were buried at the place of the tragedy that same day in accordance with Islamic customs.
The event has not yet received an official statement from the Bauchi State Police Command. A text message and WhatsApp message submitted to the command’s public relations officer, Superintendent of Police Ahmed Wakil, did not receive a response as of the time of publication.