19 vigilantes, several bandits killed in Birnin Gwari

A violent confrontation took place at Katakaki Forest, located in Kakangi Ward of Birnin Gwari Local Government Area in Kaduna State, resulting in the deaths of nineteen local vigilantes and numerous bandits.

According to local sources, the incident occurred at approximately 4pm last week Saturday, about 10 days ago, and was described as one of the most violent confrontations between vigilantes and bandits in the Birnin Gwari region.

According to Daily Trust, more than 40 bandits were said to have perished in the armed confrontation with the vigilantes during the bandits’ assault on the farmers.

Shehu Randagi, a local youth leader, verified the occurrence and stated that 19 corpses of the bandits were discovered in the wilderness, while the remaining criminals absconded with their deceased comrades in an effort to conceal their identities.

“It was a violent confrontation in which 19 of our vigilantes perished, while two others remain unaccounted for.” We have also uncovered 19 corpses of the criminals within Katakaki Forest.

“According to the villagers near Dogon Dawa Daji, a community situated close to the border of Niger State, they reported observing more than 40 deceased bandits being transported on motorcycles by their accomplices following the conflict,” he stated.

Shehu Randagi highlighted that the inhabitants themselves are responsible for safeguarding against bandits, as there is an absence of security facilities in the southern region of Birnin Gwari.

Ishaq Kasai, the chairman of Birnin Gwari Emirate Progressive Union (BEPU), has also verified the occurrence and stated that the information they have indicates that the bandits caused significant loss of life.

According to his account, the bandits assaulted the villagers who were labouring on the farms. However, the local vigilantes intervened and a confrontation ensued, leading to losses on both sides.

In addition, he mentioned that trucks and agricultural goods were also demolished during the conflict.

The state Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Mansir Hassan, did not provide an official response as his phone was not reachable and he had not responded to text messages sent to him at the time of filing the article.