By: Zagazola Makama
In a tragic turn of events, six members of a local vigilante group in Kebbi State met a brutal end after being ambushed by heavily armed bandits in Matankari Forest. The slain vigilantes had been in pursuit of the criminals following a violent cattle rustling raid in Arewa Local Government Area but fell victim to a meticulously planned counterattack.
According to intelligence sources, the vigilantes had been tracking the bandits after they stormed Dan Tulu and Rusakde villages on February 27, 2025, at about 15:30 hours, carting away an unspecified number of cattle. The attackers, riding in groups on approximately seven motorcycles, vanished into the Sokoto Forest, leaving behind chaos and fear.
Determined to recover the stolen livestock, a group of vigilantes from Dantulu swiftly mobilized and launched a self-organized mission to confront the bandits. However, in the early hours of February 28, 2025, as they navigated the dense Matankari Forest, the hunters became the hunted. The bandits, lying in wait, unleashed a hail of gunfire, instantly killing all six men.
Upon receiving intelligence about the deadly ambush, troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA, in collaboration with the police and additional vigilante members, launched a coordinated search-and-recovery operation. By 14:30 hours, the security forces successfully retrieved the bodies of the fallen men.
The victims were later identified as:
Lawal Dansida (60 years)
Umaru Dangoje (70 years)
Gali Umaru (35 years)
Yakubu Maigeri (53 years)
Hakilu Yusuf (47 years)
Lshiaka Liman (60 years)
In the wake of the killings, security forces have intensified patrols in the affected areas, vowing to flush out criminal elements and restore stability. Authorities have warned against vigilantes embarking on independent operations without proper coordination with security agencies, emphasizing the dangers of confronting well-armed bandits without backup.
As communities in Kebbi and beyond grapple with the growing menace of rural banditry, the incident underscores the urgent need for stronger security measures, intelligence-sharing, and a more coordinated response to combat the escalating violence in Nigeria’s northern regions.
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