At least seven vigilantes have reportedly been killed and eight others injured after a bomb was dropped on a group gathered at Kukoki-Bassa community in Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday when the vigilantes were said to have gathered to strategise on how to respond to the movement of bandits towards the community.
A community source told newsmen that the victims were taken to the IBB Specialist Hospital, Minna, where the injured are receiving treatment.
The commander of the Kukoki vigilante group, Ayuba Umar Kamas, who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, alleged that the bomb was dropped from a military aircraft.
Kamas said the vigilantes were meeting when three aircraft were sighted in the area, adding that one of them allegedly flew towards their direction and dropped a bomb that struck the group.
He described the incident as “very unfortunate and painful,” saying seven members of the group were killed.
According to him, four of the deceased were from Kukoki, one from Bassa and three from Matuku.
He added that eight others were injured, with some of the victims reportedly suffering severe injuries, including loss of both legs.
Kamas further claimed that the vigilantes had gathered after receiving information about the movement of suspected bandits in the area.
He alleged that about 250 motorcycles were being used by the suspected bandits, while some of the criminals were also moving rustled cattle through the area.
The vigilante commander questioned why the alleged air operation targeted their group while the suspected bandits were able to continue moving through the area.
He also disclosed that Niger State Deputy Governor, Yakubu Garba, who hails from the local government, was contacted after the incident and helped facilitate the evacuation of the injured.
According to him, the victims were initially transported out of the affected area on motorcycles before being moved to IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna.
Kamas said vigilantes from neighbouring Rafi Local Government Area assisted in burying the deceased, but claimed that neither the state nor local government authorities had provided support to the affected community.
He added that the community had been largely deserted following the incident and renewed fears of attacks by suspected bandits.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Niger State Government, Nigerian Air Force or other security agencies on the alleged military airstrike, or explaining the circumstances surrounding the explosion.
Also it could not be independently verify the allegation that the explosive was dropped by a military aircraft.
(source- DP)
