Buhari Reacts As Bandits Kill Over 60 Vigilante Operatives In Kebbi Communities

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the recent killing of more than 60 vigilante operatives following an invasion by gunmen on communities in Kebbi State.

Bandits Kill Over 60 Vigilante Operatives In Kebbi

Speaking with BBC Hausa on Tuesday, a resident of Takita community said the bandits invaded the communities on Sunday evening, adding that the villagers counted 63 bodies after the attack.

The source said, “When they first came, they kidnapped people and stole cattle. The members of the community started shouting ‘thieves’ after the bandits had left, and the vigilantes immediately mobilised and went after the bandits to rescue the kidnapped victims and stolen cattle.

“The bandits hid on tree tops and as the vigilantes arrived where they hid, the bandits opened fire on them.”

The spokesman of Kebbi police command, Nafiu Abubakar, who confirmed the incident, said the gunmen were trying to escape military operations when the vigilantes confronted them.

Abubakar, who noted that the police are yet to confirm the figure of casualties, said the vigilantes were on the trail of the gunmen and they ran into an ambush in Makuku village of Sakaba LGA in Kebbi.

He said, “There is an ongoing operation in Niger state by air force. So, the bandits in Niger state were escaping out of the state towards Zamfara state. Kebbi state shares border with Niger and Zamfara.

“The vigilantes sighted the bandits on their way to Zamfara, and instead of reporting to the nearest authority or police station, they confronted the bandits.

“As a result of that, there was an engagement of fire from both parties which resulted in the loss of lives from the bandits and local vigilantes.”

Buhari Condemns Kebbi Killings

Reacting in a statement on Tuesday by his spokesman, Garba Shehu, the president expressed sadness over what he described as “the brutal murder of tens of vigilante members”.

Buhari, who also expressed his condolences to the family members of the deceased, said his administration remains committed to tackling security challenges in the country.

He said, “This egregious level of criminality is shocking and I want to assure Nigerians that I will do all it takes to tackle this monster decisively,” he was quoted as saying.

“My greatest preoccupation is the threat to life posed by these murderous gangs and remorseless outlaws who have no slightest regard for the sanctity of life.

“While extending my sympathy to the families of the victims of this savagery, let me use this opportunity to also call on our security forces to be more proactive and redouble their efforts in order to frustrate the operational plans of the terrorists before they even launch attacks.”

KanyiDaily recalls that a few months ago 66 people were also killed by bandits in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.