By 
By Abiodun OBA
At least thirty members of a local Security outfit called Yan Sa Kai in the Dogon-Dawa community in the Mariga local government area of Niger state have been killed by suspected bandits.
Some casualties were also said to have been recorded on the side of the bandits, but the exact numbers are yet to be ascertained.
The local vigilantes reportedly met their untimely deaths on Saturday morning as they were trailing the suspected bandits to their hideout on hearing of their presence in the area.
Unknown to the vigilantes, the bandits ambushed them and rained bullets on them as they were approaching their hideout leading to a high number of casualties.
A reliable source from the area who confirmed the incident to Vanguard said some of the gunmen were also killed but could not state the exact number.
“Some of our local vigilantes were killed. From what we have calculated and seen, they are up to thirty.
“Some of the bandits were also gunned down by our men and many others escaped with bullet wounds but we cannot say specifically the numbers.
“With this development, our people who are predominantly farmers and who are preparing for the planting season are currently fleeing the area to avoid a reprisal by the gunmen,” he remarked.
Chairman, Mariga local government council, Abbas Kasuwar Garba confirmed the incident to Journalists.
“This incident calls for serious concern especially now that our people who are predominantly farmers are preparing to go back to their farms in readiness for the planting season.
He called for quick intervention from the government in order to safe reoccurrence.
At the time of filing the report, efforts to get the response of the Niger state government and police command Public Relations Officer PPRO, SP Wasiu Abiodun proved abortive.
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