Victims of the recent bandits’ ambush of vigilantes who were members of Professional Hunters Association of Nigeria in Bauchi and Sokoto States have recounted their ordeals.
The bandits had killed 15 vigilante members in Mansur, Gwana, in Alkaleri local government area of Bauchi State during a patrol on Duguri-Mansur Road.
One of the hunters simply identified as Commander Hamisu, was killed in the ambush.
Hamisu, who was known in the area as a frontline vigilante, left behind 28 children and four wives.
One of the relations of Hamisu who spoke with LEADERSHIP Sunday on condition of anonymity, said, “He died and left behind 28 children and four wives. They are devastated, living without the family breadwinner.”
He said the children were only left to the comforting words of their mothers who were incapacitated to shoulder their responsibilities now that their husband is dead.
He appealed to the Bauchi State government to support and provide scholarships for the children and victims of the bandits’ siege.
It was gathered that authorities at the Alaleri local government area had waded into the plight of the families of the slain vigilantes, but the relations described it as inadequate considering the number of the children of Hamisu alone and those of the other affected vigilantes.
Meanwhile, some vigilantes have painted a picture of their desperate need for additional support from the state government to enable them work with the regular security agencies to protect the residents.
One of the leaders of the vigilantes in Mansur who gave his name as Commander said, “I lost nine men in my camp. These were brave individuals who chose to protect their people at all costs.
“We were overpowered and overwhelmed by the bandits who had superior weapons. Although we also killed scores among them.
“We don’t have the logistics and arms that we need. I run a camp with only one motorcycle. We need more motorcycles for rapid response, cartridges for our rifles, and above all, monthly stipends for our men.”
In a related development, Magonho town in Tangaza local government area of Sokoto State was under deadly attacks twice last week and when the marauders departed, they left behind sorrow, tears and blood.
At the last count, 16 bodies of members of the town’s vigilantes were recovered from the bushes and buried.
The state police command confirmed the attack and the MTN mast that was set ablaze but could not confirm the death toll.
The town was yet to recover from the invasion when LEADERSHIP Sunday visited it.
A resident, Mallam Abdulnasir Tangaza, who lost his younger brother in the attack, said, “The Lakurawa attackers estimated to be about 40 in number, were heavily armed and arrived in the area on 20 motorcycles.
“They were shooting sporadically and killed two people, rustled some animals but, the troops from the Forward Operating Base (FoB) in Masallaci responded swiftly and pursued them, recovering some of the stolen animals.
“On the second day, they returned to Magonho village, opening fire and setting ablaze an MTN communication tower before fleeing the community.
“We initially recovered 11 corpses and through the support of the soldiers, we were able to find five more bodies in the nearby bushes.”
Yunusa Telele, a farmer and son of Malam Telele, one of the vigilantes killed, summed up everything thus, “we shall all return to Allah. When the dust settled after the first day of the attack, we discovered two people dead. A subsequent search uncovered nine more bodies. We were, however, apprehensive of what might have happened to my father and others who were still at large.
“With the support of security personnel, we were able to discover five more bodies in the bush and my father was among them. He has since been buried.
“All I know was that the confrontation began after the vigilantes foiled an attack on Magonho community, prompting a fierce exchange of gunfire.”
On his expectations from the state government, he said, “The government should protect us. Instead of once in a day patrol from the army stationed at the FoB, the government should give us a permanent army operation base at Magonho.
“This attack is strange to us and I believe if we have a permanent army base in our locality, it will guarantee our safety.”
In Kebbi State, no banditry attack has occurred for three weeks except the ones in Augie and Kalgo local government areas.
The development has been attributed to the intervention of Governor Nasir Idris and the heads of security agencies which led to the deployment of troops to the troubled areas.
In an interview with the Kebbi State Commandant of the Hunters Association, Ambassador Hussaini Sule Rambo, he said all the troubled areas in the state were under strict surveillance by security personnel.
