Bandits have attacked the office of a vigilance group in Ebbo village in Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State, killing a vigilante and injuring another.
The incident which was said to have occurred in the area at about 11 pm on Wednesday had five other persons kidnapped after the attack on the office.
According to an eyewitness Ismaila Favu, the bandits moved from house to house attacking residents and dispossessing them of valuables.
“The bandits operated from house to house . They attacked a vigilante office, killed one vigilante, while another vigilante sustained serious injury”.
He added that members of the vigilance group fought the bandits back and they escaped with injuries through gun shots and bites from security dogs in the community.
He called on the Niger state Government to ensure adequate measure to address the situation by providing local vigilantes with sophisticated weapons to enable them fight bandits in the state.
“We need to take serious action against this banditry, especially in by providing security personnel, including the vigilantes with sophisticated arms before they can adequately face the gunmen and take control of most of our villages.
“That is why we are calling on our local government chairman, State Assembly representative, Senator and House of Representatives, and state government to please rise up to the challenge and help us”.
Confirming the attack, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Wasiu Abiodun, said suspected armed men attacked vigilante office at Ebbo village via Lapai, shooting sporadically.
He added that unfortunately, one of the vigilante members was shot dead, and one other sustained injury.
