Twenty vigilantes were killed during bandits ambush in Kotonkoro village of Mariga local government area of Niger State.
One soldier was also killed by the gunmen during an attack on a militatry base located in the same village.
Security sources said the attack on the military base happened on Wednesday, and that of vigilantes on Thursday.
One soldier was also abducted during the incident.
The commandant of the vigilantes in the local government, Abu Hashimu confirmed the incidentbwhile speaking to journalists on Thursday.
He said the slain vigilantes were returning from search operation when they were ambushed.
“16 of them were killed on the spot while the bandits pursued 4 others who tried to escape and gun them down also,” Hashiru said.
He said that the bodies of the slain vigilantes have been recovered, adding that a joint security operation consisting of the military, the Police and vigilantes has launched manhunt against the bandits.
