Suspected Military Airstrike Kills Seven Vigilantes in Niger, injure eight

At least seven vigilantes have reportedly been killed and eight others injured following an alleged military airstrike on a group of local security volunteers in Kukoki-Bassa community, Shiroro Local Government Area of Niger State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Thursday when the vigilantes gathered to discuss how to respond to information about suspected bandits moving towards the community.

The injured victims were later evacuated to the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna, where they were receiving medical treatment, according to a community source.

The commander of the Kukoki vigilante group, Ayuba Umar Kamas, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview and alleged that the explosive was dropped from a military aircraft.

Kamas said the vigilantes were holding a meeting when three aircraft were seen flying around the area. He alleged that one of the aircraft moved in the direction of the gathering before an explosive was dropped on the group.

He said seven members of the vigilante group lost their lives in the incident, while eight others sustained various degrees of injuries.

According to him, the deceased included four people from Kukoki, one from Bassa and three from Matuku.

He added that some of the injured sustained serious injuries, with some reportedly losing both legs as a result of the explosion.

Kamas explained that the vigilantes had assembled after receiving information about the movement of suspected bandits towards the area. He claimed that the suspected criminals were travelling on about 250 motorcycles and were also moving cattle allegedly stolen from communities in the area.

The vigilante commander questioned the circumstances of the incident, particularly why the group was affected while the suspected bandits were allegedly able to continue their movement through the area.

Following the explosion, Kamas said Niger State Deputy Governor Yakubu Garba, who is from Shiroro Local Government Area, was contacted and assisted with the evacuation of the injured victims.

He said the injured were first moved from the affected community on motorcycles before being transferred to the IBB Specialist Hospital in Minna for further treatment.

Kamas also said vigilantes from neighbouring Rafi Local Government Area helped with the burial of those who died in the incident.

However, he alleged that neither the Niger State Government nor the Shiroro Local Government authorities had provided assistance to the affected community following the incident.

He further disclosed that many residents had left the community because of the incident and growing fear of possible attacks by suspected bandits.

The alleged airstrike has raised concerns among residents over the safety of local vigilantes who have been involved in efforts to protect communities from bandit attacks.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no official response from the Niger State Government, the Nigerian Air Force or other relevant security agencies confirming the incident or explaining what caused the explosion.

The allegation that the explosive was dropped by a military aircraft could also not be independently verified.