Residents of a community in Niger State have accused local vigilante members of storming their area on the evening of December 31, causing chaos and stealing valuables, including televisions and phones.
According to reports, the vigilantes arrived in large numbers and launched unprovoked attacks on children, women, and the elderly.
The situation worsened when they reportedly entered a mosque where children were receiving Quranic lessons.
Witnesses claim the vigilantes used sticks, knives, and other weapons to beat the children and even assaulted the Mai Agwa, a respected leader in the community.
Albaji Mohammed Albaji, a resident, stated that the vigilantes broke into his home without justification.
When he questioned their actions, he was beaten, and his wife, who tried to intervene, was also attacked.
He further alleged that during the raid, the vigilantes stole a television and several phones from his household.
The Niger State Police Public Relations Officer, Wasia Abiodun, confirmed the incident, explaining that the vigilantes had conducted the operation without police authorization.
“On December 31, 2024, at around 7:30 p.m., a report was made to the Morris Division that vigilante members had raided Soje A community in an attempt to arrest suspects,” he said.
Abiodun added that three individuals were initially apprehended but managed to escape after a confrontation between community members and the vigilantes.
The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Morris Division later intervened, facilitating a peace talk and cautioning the vigilantes against carrying out unauthorised operations.
Injured victims were taken to a hospital, and peace has since been restored to the community. Investigations into the incident and efforts to apprehend the escaped suspects are ongoing.