Local vigilance group, hunters repel bandit attack on Niger community

Local vigilance group and hunters in Soba Community, Mashegu Local Government Area of Niger State, have repelled a major bandit attack on the neighbouring Kuppa Community following a fierce gun battle with the assailants.

Residents said the local security volunteers mobilised after receiving a distress call that a large number of suspected bandits riding motorcycles had invaded Kuppa community.

The armed men, reportedly wielding sophisticated weapons, were said to have been preparing to launch an attack when the combined team of vigilantes and local hunters confronted them.

A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the exchange of gunfire lasted for some time before the suspected bandits were forced to retreat.

“The vigilantes (vigilance group) and hunters immediately mobilised to assist the community. A fierce exchange of gunfire ensued and lasted for some time before the bandits were forced to retreat,” the source said.

Local sources claimed that about 25 suspected bandits were killed during the encounter, although the figure could not be independently verified.

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The operation, however, came at a cost, as one member of the vigilante group was reportedly killed, while five others sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Speaking with journalists via telephone, Abbas Atteahir, a youth leader in the community, explained that residents had endured repeated attacks by armed bandits over the past two months with little or no security intervention.

He explained that the persistent attacks compelled the community to establish a vigilante group and seek the support of hunters from neighbouring communities to protect lives and property.

According to him, the combined team successfully repelled the attackers, preventing what could have been a devastating assault on Kuppa community.

“We successfully engaged them in a gun battle and, by God’s grace, neutralised dozens of them. Sadly, we lost one of our vigilante members, while five others are receiving treatment,” Atteahir disclosed.

He added that the community remained resolute in defending itself against further attacks by criminal elements.

Meanwhile, Maurice Bello Magaji, the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, commended the courage and resilience of the vigilantes and hunters, describing their swift response as commendable.

He praised their efforts in confronting the armed attackers and reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to supporting community-based security initiatives aimed at complementing conventional security agencies.

As of the time of filing this report, the Niger State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the incident.