Sokoto: 11 vigilantes killed as bandits raze MTN telecom mast

Soldiers

At least 11 members of a local vigilante group have been confirmed dead following a fierce gun battle with heavily armed bandits in the Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State.

Several others remain unaccounted for, raising concerns that the death toll may rise.

The confrontation occurred on Friday when the community-based vigilante group intercepted about 40 bandits attempting to raid Magonho village.

According to local sources, the attackers, who rode in on about 20 motorcycles and were heavily armed, opened fire after their ambush was thwarted.

“Initially, it was confirmed that two vigilantes were killed in the early exchange of gunfire,” a source from the community said. “The number rose to 11 by Saturday after security operatives recovered more bodies from the surrounding Lakurawa forest enclave, believed to be a stronghold of the armed group.”

According to an eyewitness, the vigilantes had mobilised swiftly after receiving intelligence on the bandits’ movement.

They managed to repel the first wave of attack and recover some rustled livestock.

Following the retreat of the attackers, troops from the Forward Operating Base in Masallaci launched a pursuit operation, successfully reclaiming some of the stolen animals.

However, the bandits returned shortly afterwards, set fire to the community’s MTN communication mast, and fired sporadically before fleeing once again into the forest.

Efforts are ongoing to retrieve the remaining bodies and locate missing vigilantes.

“Security forces, including soldiers and personnel from other agencies stationed in Binji and Racca, are coordinating a search-and-rescue operation in the dense Lakurawa forest,” the source added.