Six members of a local vigilante group lost their lives in an ambush by suspected bandits in Matankari Forest, Kebbi State, after pursuing the criminals without security reinforcement.
According to intelligence sources cited by Zagazola Makama, the vigilantes had been tracking the armed group following a cattle rustling incident in Dan Tulu and Rusakde villages, located in Arewa Local Government Area.
The bandits, riding on approximately seven motorcycles, raided the villages on February 27, 2025, at around 3:30 p.m.
They fled with an unknown number of stolen cattle, heading toward Sokoto Forest.
Determined to retrieve the livestock, a team of vigilantes from Dantulu mobilized and set out on an independent operation.
However, in the early hours of February 28, 2025, they walked into a deadly ambush. The assailants, lying in wait, unleashed a barrage of gunfire, killing all six vigilantes instantly.
Upon receiving reports of the attack, troops from Operation FANSAN YANMA, alongside police officers and additional vigilante members, conducted a search operation in Matankari Forest. By 2:30 p.m., they recovered the bodies of the slain vigilantes.
The deceased have been identified as Lawal Dansida (60), Umaru Dangoje (70), Gali Umaru (35), Yakubu Maigeri (53), Hakilu Yusuf (47), and Lshiaka Liman (60).
In response to the incident, security forces have increased patrols in the affected communities to prevent further attacks.
Authorities have also urged vigilante groups to coordinate their efforts with official security agencies rather than embarking on independent operations, emphasizing the importance of organized strategies in combating banditry.
