No fewer than 21 persons suspected to be bandits have been killed by security operatives in collaboration with vigilante groups in Danko Wasagu local government area of Kebbi State.
The council chairman, Hussani Aliyu-Bena, said Danko Wasagu bandits were infiltrating the area from the border with Mariga local government area of Niger State.
He said residents in collaboration with vigilantes killed 17 suspected bandits and recovered arms and motorcycles, while two residents were killed.
Aliyu-Bena added that the bandits moved to Tangaran village and abducted nine farmers from their farmlands but all of them were later rescued by security operatives, vigilantes and residents in Lugga village under Ayu district.
The chairman said a careful watch on the movement of the bandits also resulted in another encounter at Bakin Gulbi village where the combined team killed four bandits, recovered weapons and rescued three kidnapped persons, assuring that the bandits’ movement was being monitored for further action.
He said in line with the directive of the state governor, Nasir Idris, “We have visited Kanya district where all the displaced persons from the surrounding villages converged and we commiserated with the people and presented relief assistance to them.’’
Commending the efforts of security operatives, vigilantes and locals, Aliyu-Bena appealed to people of the area for more support and cooperation by providing credible information to effectively flush the criminals out of the area.
The chairman pleaded for more deployment of military personnel at Malekachi village which is a transit route for the bandits as well as Dankade village. He said the council had communicated with the commissioner for humanitarian affairs on how the ministry would assist victims with palliatives to cushion their hardship.
