Operatives of a local vigilante group have killed no fewer than six bandits, who attacked Tangaza, a community in Tangaza Local Government Area (LGA), Sokoto State.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Sokoto State Police Command, Mr. Abubakar Sanusi confirmed the report in a phone conversation with THISDAY yesterday.

Sanusi, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), disclosed that the operatives of a local vigilante group mobilised themselves and pursued the bandits to their hideout where six of them were killed during a gun duel while others escape with wounds.

THISDAY had reported that bandits, who fled Zamfara State due to military onslaught, attacked Tangaza, a community in Tangaza LGA, killing two persons and abducting scores from the village.

A resident of Tangaza, who pleaded anonymity, told THISDAY that three persons were also injured during the attack.

He added that the residents, who sustained varying degrees of injury, were currently receiving treatment in an undisclosed hospital while foodstuffs; drinks among others were reportedly carted away in the attack.

He stated that the bandits launched the attacks after evening (Magrib) prayers on Friday, shooting and killing a shop owner on the spot and another, a young girl died in the hospital.

He lauded the timely intervention of security agencies alongside local vigilantes who were able to rescue one of the abductees while bandits escaped with four others in the process.

He said: “They attack shops along the road, killing one of the shop owners in the process and make away with foodstuffs, drinks among other valuables in the shops.

“They also kidnapped not less than five young children while one of them was rescued by security operatives, who pursued into the bush,” the police chief explained.

He said the bandits came to the village to loot foodstuffs and drinks due to the closure of markets by the government.

The ongoing military operations in Zamfara State and the closure of major markets in some states in the Northwest have reportedly had negative effects on the operations of the bandits.

The bandits are now regrouping around towns bordering Zamfara and Sokoto states for their nefarious activities against innocent people

(THISDAY)

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