Nine bandits killed, others arrested in Niger state while waiting to collect ransom

At least nine suspected bandits were neutralised and others arrested by local vigilante group in Gulu town, Lapai Local Government Area of Niger State while wating to collect ransom from families of abducted victims. It was gathered that the bandits had earlier raided Gulu town a few days back during which some people were abducted and ransom demanded before they would be released. According to an eyewiness, the relations of the victims had managed to raise the ransom and they contacted the bandits who gave directive to them on how to deliver the money. On Sunday night, March 15, the family members went to the spot where the money was to be delivered. The bandits reportedly told some of them to return to the town to buy them some food and other edible items. On their way to purchase the food items, one of the victim’s relation ran into some vigilante who asked him what they were doing in the forest. After narrating their ordeal, the vigilante group mobilised and asked the victims’ relations to show them the spot where the bandits were.”There was exchange of gunfire between the vigilante and the bandits, which lasted very long, but the vigilante were able to kill nine of the bandits and arrested seven others after which they brought the remains of the bandits to the village square,” the eyewitness said. The arrested suspected bandits were handed over to men of the Police Special Task Force – Operation Zuma in Ebbo.