Three vigilantes from the Shanga Local Government Area of Kebbi State have reportedly been killed by suspected bandits while returning from the Agwara Local Government Area of Niger State.
The victims were identified as Abubakar Mai Nera, the vigilante commander in Saminaka; Tanko Sarki; and Amadu Saminaka.
SaharaReporters gathered that the three men were from the Saminaka and Bakinturu communities in Shanga LGA.
A security alert expert, Bakatsine, confirmed the incident on Wednesday, citing information from local sources familiar with the attack.
According to the sources, the vigilantes were ambushed around Kasabo, Binuwa and Mago, across the River Kwara (Kogin Kwara) along the Niger–Kebbi border.
The attackers reportedly killed the three vigilantes during the assault and subsequently set them ablaze.
The incident was said to have occurred on Friday, but the bodies of the victims had not been recovered as of Wednesday.
Local residents and others involved in the search were reportedly continuing efforts to locate the remains of the three men, while details surrounding the attack were still being gathered.
The incident highlights the risks faced by local vigilantes and community-based security personnel operating in areas affected by attacks by armed groups.
The latest attack has also raised concerns among residents of communities around the Niger–Kebbi border, where security challenges have continued to expose civilians and local security volunteers to danger.