No fewer than 17 vigilante men in Dukku town of Rijau Local Government Area of Niger State were on Wednesday evening ambushed and killed by bandits.

The vigilante men also killed three of the bandits in the process.

Disturbed by incessant attacks, Dukku community mobilised to take the battle to the bandits, who were said to be in Iri forest.

It was gathered that plan to attack the bandits leaked, resulting in the bandits ambushing men of the vigilante group in the forest and killing 17.

The vigilantes however killed three of the bandits.

Chairman of Rijau Local Government Area, Bawa Bello, when contacted on telephone confirmed the incident.

He said, “Yes, it happened, we killed some of the bandits and the bandits killed some of our men.

“I have submitted a written report to Commissioner for Local Government who is our boss. He should give you the details.”

In a similar development, armed men again have invaded a community in Shiroro local government area of Niger and abducted 20 people.

It was gathered that the armed bandits invaded Adagbi village in Galkogo district in Shiroro in the early hours of Thursday with no casualties confirmed

According to a source, the bandits stormed the village in their usual style on motorcycles, shooting in the air.

Meanwhile, Governor Abubakar Sani Bello has appealed to the people of the state “to remain calm as government is on top of the security situation”.

In a message of condolence, Bello maintained that “no responsible government will fold its arms and allow law-abiding and innocent citizens to be mauled down”.

He commiserated with the families of those who lost their lives in the attack and prayed for a speedy recovery for the injured victims.

Daily Trust/Punch