Ten people, including two village heads and eight vigilante members, have been reportedly killed by bandits in Kakangi and Unguwan Matinja communities in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna state.
A resident of Kakangi said the incident occurred in the early hours of Thursday following a fierce battle between the vigilantes and the bandits.
He said the vigilantes were trailing the bandits in an attempt to rescue kidnapped victims, which included the two village heads.
According to him, the vigilantes engaged the bandits in a gun duel, and in the process, eight of the gallant vigilantes were killed.
He added that the vigilantes also killed scores of the bandits during the encounter.
He said, “The vigilantes engaged the terrorists, killing scores of them but could not rescue the two traditional rulers and others who were abducted.
“Normally, anytime there is a kidnap incident, the vigilantes always trail the terrorists to rescue the victims.
“It is unfortunate that in the process, eight gallant officers of the vigilantes who have been sacrificing in ensuring the safety of our people were killed.”
He said the kidnapped victims were abducted on their way to a burial between Kakangi and Sabon Layi.
He identified the eight deceased vigilante members as Bala Kamba, Abdurrahman Musa (Ubale), Kabiru Dan Dugui, Hambali Abu, Aliyu Abu, Nura Jika (Maleka), Mubarak Musa (Dan Wamba) and Ikra Hantsi.
According to him, the two village heads killed include Christopher Abubakar and Isah Gambo.
Mansir Hassan, spokesperson of the Kaduna state police command, could not immediately confirm the incident when contacted.
He, however, said he would verify the incident and get back, adding that the challenge of getting information from the area is poor telephone network.