More than 30 members of the local vigilantes otherwise known as Yan Sakai have been reportedly killed when rampaging bandits stormed a community in Bungudu Local Government Area of Zamfara State.
The men were killed during a gun duel with the bandits near Gidan Dan Inna community in Auki district.
According to DAILY POST, the bandits stormed the communities, attacked residents and rustled cows.
A resident of the community whose brothers were killed, Idris Ambomade told the media outlet that the bandits shot dead some aggrieved members of the community whose animals were being rustled.
Pained by the unlawful display by the bandits, the head of the vigilante group known as Yan Sakai in the community, Umar Sanielema mobilised his team to go after the bandits, to at least recover their cows from bandits.
“Within half an hour, the vigilantes mobilized themselves and gave the rustlers a hot chase on motorbikes.” He said
Ambomad said when the armed bandits realized that they were being pursued, they divided themselves into two, one group was asked to herd the stolen animals into the forest, while the other group then lurked around to lay ambush waiting for the vigilantes who were approaching.
He said as soon as they noticed the presence of vigilantes riding on Motorcycles, the bandits opened fire on them and killed over 30 on the spot.
He said the remains of the slain vigilantes who were from more than 10 communities were later retrieved for burial at their respective villages.