Nine members of a local vigilante group, popularly known as Yan Ba Beli in Bauchi state, have been killed by bandits.
The Yan Ba Beli were killed in the forest of Gamji village while searching for the bandits who have been terrorising the communities in Ningi local government area, killing and kidnapping innocent people for ransom.
Nigerian Tribune reports that the gunmen attacked the Yan Ba Beli during an ambush and killed nine, while others were injured.
The incident happened on Sunday, late evening when the Yan Ba Beli were climbing the rocks around Gamji village in search of the bandits harbouring in the forest to neutralise them.
A member of the local vigilantes in the area, who spoke anonymously, disclosed that the bandits laid a well-coordinated ambush for them in the forest into which they fell.
He added that as soon as they fell into the ambush, the bandits opened fire with superior weapons and overpowered the Yan Ba Beli, killing nine of them instantly and injuring others.
The caretaker chairman of the local government area, Hon. Ibrahim Zubairu Mato, confirmed the incident and condemned it.
