No fewer than nine members of a vigilante group popularly known as “Yan Ba Beli” in Bauchi state have been killed by gunmen.
It was learnt that the gunmen whose identity and number is still unknown, killed the vigilante members in a forest in Gamji village while they were searching for bandits who have been terrorizing communities in Ningi Loval Government Area of the State, killing and kidnapping innocent people for ransom.
According to a source, the gunmen laid an ambush and attacked the local vigilante group members and killed nine of them while some others sustained various degrees of injuries.
The source, a member of a local vigilante group in the area, told journalists in confidence that the incident happened late Sunday evening when the Yan Ba Beli were climbing the rocks around Gamji village in search of the bandits harbouring in the forest with the intention of killing them.
He said that the bandits mounted a well coordinated ambush for them in the forest which they fell into.
He further said that as soon they veered into the ambush, the bandits opened fire with superior weapons and overpowered the Yan Ba Beli, killing nine of them instantly and injuring others.
The source said that the bodies of the nine corpses were recovered on Monday and buried the same day at the scene of the incident, according to Islamic rites.
The Caretaker Chairman of Ningi LGA, Ibrahim Mato, who confirmed the incident, condemned it assuring that the government will continue to do everything possible to protect innocent lives and properties in the area.
The Bauchi State Police Command is yet to make an official statement on the incident and its Public Relations Officer, Ahmed Wakil, a Superintendent of Police, did not respond to a text message and whatsapp messages sent to his mobile number by journalists.